Published May 29, 2012

Smart Conservation Action Alert

By Sarah Carlson

CAll Congressman Latham Today to support Smart Conservation. Farmers and the environment alike get a big leg up from conservation programs.  Farmers count on them to conserve soil for future generations, keep water and air clean, and create habitat for wildlife – all while farming profitably.  Programs like the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) help farmers and ranchers manage and expand smart conservation activities on their lands – like restoring native grasses on pastureland to create wildlife habitat or rotating crops seasonally to improve the soil.

In the budget-cutting frenzy of the last two fiscal years, Congress slashed conservation programs by over $1.5 billion! The Senate passed its version of next year’s agriculture budget earlier this spring; it’s now time for the House of Representatives to do the same.  Right now, your representatives in the House are making decisions about next year’s agriculture budget – and they need to hear from you!

Your action today will protect crucial conservation funding that rewards farmers for the environmental goods they produce.  Can we count on you to call?

It takes just a moment.  Please call Iowa Representative Tom Latham’s office at (202) 225-5476, ask for his agricultural appropriations aide, and share the following message:

“I am a constituent.  (If you’re a farmer, let him know as well!) Please protect Farm Bill conservation programs from further cuts in Fiscal Year 2013.  We must protect our natural resources and reward farmers for the environmental goods they produce – please oppose any cuts to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and other Farm Bill conservation programs.”

It’s quick and easy to call and it has a big impact.  Thank you for calling right now! Stay tuned for more opportunities for action – on the Farm Bill and on next year’s budget – it’s going to take all of us speaking out loud and clear for sustainable agriculture in the weeks to come.

Thank you for all that you do,

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Grassroots Team