BLACKHAM BRINGS NASDA VIEWPOINTS TO RANGELAND CONFERENCE

News Date February 04, 2008

       Utah Agriculture Commissioner Leonard Blackham addressed the American Forage and Grassland Council (AFGC) and Society of Range Management (SRM) Building Bridges: Grasslands to Rangeland Conference on January 28, 2008, in Louisville, Kentucky. Blackham, who chairs NASDA's Natural Resources and Pesticide Management Committee, represented NASDA at the conference to discuss issues related to grassland and rangeland management.

       According to USDA, grasslands, rangelands and pasture lands account for almost half of the United States total land area. Blackham said these land resources are important to society because of the clean air, water, open space, recreation and wildlife habitat they provide. He pointed out that these lands are the base of the U.S. protein food supply and proper grazing of these lands is essential to maintaining a healthy landscape and environment.

       NASDA supports efforts to promote and enhance the stewardship of rangelands and grasslands. Blackham said NASDA supports the research by USDA's Agriculture Research Service (ARS) National Program in Rangeland, Pasture and Forages. The research will provide scientific information that is valuable for assessing and managing rangelands and grasslands. Blackham also outlined NASDA's most important natural resource issues for the next decade: landscape health, consistent funding and investment, and the need to balance economic viability with environmental quality policy. A copy of Blackham's talking points and PowerPoint presentation have been posted on the NASDA website in the conservation policy section. (Contact: Charlie Ingram or Carissa Wilhelm