|
A publication of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture USDA TO EXTEND WAREHOUSE MORATORIUM NASDA PARTICIPATES IN DISASTER FLY-IN; GROUPS PRESS CONGRESS AND ADMINISTRATION FOR ASSISTANCE CONNECTICUT COMMISSIONER SHIRLEY FERRIS WILL NOT SEEK REAPPOINTMENT 108th CONGRESS CONVENES WITH NEW LEADERS NEW CHAIRMEN FOR HOUSE & SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEES ON THE HILL ENVIRONMENT BRIEFS FOOD SAFETY BRIEFS State News--STATE HELPS FARMERS MEET WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES State News--NEW LEADERSHIP PROGRAM TO DEVELOP CONSERVATION'S BEST Past Issues
What's New on the NASDA Website
Farm Labor Information, U.S./Mexico Working Group NASDA's Warehouse Task Force webpage
|
USDA TO EXTEND WAREHOUSE MORATORIUM During a briefing with commodity organizations this week, USDA officials announced that USDA would extend the warehouse moratorium on accepting new federal warehouse license applications from state-licensed warehouse operators. It is expected that the moratorium could be extended to mid-February. This will provide additional time to consider proposals that would resolve issues surrounding USDA's implementation of the final regulations of the U.S. Warehouse Act of 2000. NASDA's Warehouse Task Force members have met with USDA, National Grain and Food Association (NGFA) and commodity representatives in several meetings and conference calls during November, December, and January to discuss issues and possible solutions. USDA's proposal to implement the final rules includes providing a consistent program of producer protection nationwide. Proposed changes to licensing requirements include: (1) an increase in financial reporting and basic net worth requirements; (2) a raise in minimum financial assurance requirements for storage and contractual obligations; and (3) an option to participate in a national grain indemnity fund or some other form of financial assurance such as bonding, letters of credit, or similar financial instruments. Members of NASDA's task force expect to meet with USDA, NGFA, and other commodity representatives during this month and at NASDA's Midyear Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., Jan. 31 through Feb. 4. Those meetings will continue to determine ways of implementing the final rule and ensure producer protection. For additional background information on the task force, visit the NASDA website. Late in December, officials from 13 states, including a few members of NASDA, signed a letter to Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman asking her to rescind the final rule implementing the U.S. Warehouse Act. Other officials included attorneys general and public service commissioners. The letter cited several concerns including that USDA "has neither developed nor implemented a system of indemnification to protect farmers who sell grain to federally licensed warehouses." The letter also urged that "at the very least" that USDA extend the moratorium. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak Molen) NASDA PARTICIPATES IN DISASTER FLY-IN; GROUPS PRESS CONGRESS AND ADMINISTRATION FOR ASSISTANCE Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Bob Odom, representing NASDA, joined 40 other groups in urging Congress and the administration to provide emergency aid for farmers and ranchers due to weather-related disasters. "Agriculture is in dire need due to the affect of floods in some areas and drought in most states," Odom said during a press conference held as part of the fly-in activities. Forty groups with more than 100 participants met with members of Congress and staff requesting that disaster assistance be all inclusive in providing coverage to all natural disasters, that assistance must be comprehensive with losses covered in 2001 and 2002, and that funding must be designated as "emergency." All groups agreed that farm bill programs must not be cut and pointed out that assistance for other disasters (hurricanes, floods, tornadoes) is typically designated as emergency funding. As stated during the press conference by one of the participants, "the farm bill was not a weather disaster bill." The entire group had the opportunity to meet with several members of Congress. Those meeting with all participants were: Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.); Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.); Rep. Rodney Alexander (D-La.); Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.); and Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.). Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman met with the group and discussed current drought conditions and disaster assistance. Another major meeting was with Special Assistant to the President for Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Chuck Connor and Dale Moore, chief of staff to Secretary Veneman. Connor said, "the Administration is willing to work with you and will evaluate any proposal provided." He did emphasize that proposals would be looked at for how much they cost and any offsets that are necessary. Several bills have been introduced in Congress to provide disaster assistance. The Emergency Disaster Assistance Act of 2003, S. 21, provides the identical level of assistance that the Senate passed as part of its farm bill last February and as part of the Interior Appropriations bill on September 10, 2002--by a vote of 79 to 16. The bill continues to provide assistance to producers through the Crop Disaster and Livestock Assistance programs that have been used to help disaster victims in previous years. There is one addition. The new bill will also replenish funds that the administration used from other programs such as Section 32 funds. This bill's lead sponsor is Sen. Daschle and he was joined by 22 cosponsors. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) introduced S. 125, The Emergency Agriculture Assistance Act. For those who purchased federal crop insurance, the bill provides $3 billion in disaster assistance for losses in the 2001 and 2002 crop years using the 2000 formula on losses of 35 percent or greater. Producers can choose to receive aid for either 2001 or 2002 losses. In addition, the bill provides $970 million for feed assistance for livestock producers with qualifying losses of hay and forage. "It is time for the federal government to help our farmers and ranchers who get no relief from the farm bill," Sen. Roberts said. Other cosponsors include Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan,.), Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.). Other bills are H.R. 307, a bill to provide emergency disaster assistance to agricultural producers to respond to severe crop losses and livestock losses incurred in 2001 and 2002. This bill was introduced by Rep. Moran along with 22 cosponsors. Additional bills are S. 108 sponsored by Sen. Nelson and H.R. 257 sponsored by Rep. Max Burns (R-Ga.) with eight cosponsors. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak Molen) CONNECTICUT COMMISSIONER SHIRLEY FERRIS WILL NOT SEEK REAPPOINTMENT Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Shirley Ferris will not seek reappointment when her term ends in March. In her resignation letter, Commissioner Ferris stated the department has been able to build a strong foundation for the future of Connecticut agriculture, she also credit's her staff for their accomplishments. Connecticut Governor John G. Rowland appointed Ferris, who has served two four-year terms. A spokesperson for Governor Rowland stated that Commissioner Ferris has done a great job and has raised the profile of Connecticut agriculture. An acting commissioner will be appointed to the office. Shirley Ferris and her husband, Charles D. Ferris III, and family own and operate Ferris Acres Dairy Farm in Newtown, Connecticut. There are 140 head at the farm with 65 milkers. In 1994, the farm won the Dairy Farm of Distinction Award. The family also operates a farm and craft stand offering foods and crafts with an autumnal theme. Before becoming commissioner, Ferris was a journalist and freelance writer specializing in agriculture. Ferris earned a Liberal Arts degree from Western Connecticut State University in 1986 and graduated summa cum laude. Commissioner Ferris' resignation will take place March 1. She intends on spending time working on her family's dairy farm. (Contact: Rick Kirchhoff) 108th CONGRESS CONVENES WITH NEW LEADERS The 108th Congress convened this week with Republicans in control of both the House and Senate. In the January 7 opening session, sixty-six freshman lawmakers were sworn in, both political parties officially elected their leaders, and both chambers began organizational work. In the Senate, Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) took over as majority leader. He was selected for the post in late December after Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) stepped down as the party leader. Lott will now become chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is the new majority whip, and Sen. John Kyl (R-Ariz.) will take over as chairman of the Republican Conference Committee. Senate Democrats voted to keep their current party leaders. Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) is the minority leader and Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is the minority whip. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) will remain as chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee and Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) will continue as secretary of the Democratic Conference Committee. In the House, Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) will continue as speaker of the House. Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas) was elected majority leader and Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) was elected majority whip. Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio) will chair the Republican Conference Committee and Rep. Chris Cox (R-Calif.) will remain chairman of the Republican Policy Committee. Democrats elected Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) as minority leader--the first woman to be elected to the top congressional leadership spot. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) was elected minority whip and Rep. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) will chair the Democratic Caucus. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) NEW CHAIRMEN FOR HOUSE & SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEES Lawmakers began the task of organizing the new 108th Congress this week. There are major changes in the leadership and make-up of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. In the House, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) was elected to serve as chairman of the full House Agriculture Committee. A vacancy in the committee chairmanship arose when Rep. Larry Combest (R-Texas) announced in December that he was retiring from Congress effective May 2003, and would not seek reelection to the post. In a statement, Goodlatte said "the work of the Agriculture Committee affects the lives of every American. Perhaps the most important work of the Committee consists of maintaining policies which assure a safe, abundant and affordable food supply which is indeed the marvel of the world." Goodlatte has served as chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry. He was an active subcommittee chairman, holding fourteen hearings in the 107th Congress alone. On the Democratic side of the aisle, Rep. Charlie Stenholm (D-Texas) will remain as ranking member on the committee. Subcommittee chairmanships and other committee vacancies have not yet been announced. In the Senate, Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) will take over the gavel from Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) was in line to assume the chairman's post, but he has chosen to lead the Senate Foreign Relations Committee instead. Lugar is expected to remain a member of the committee and Harkin will hold the ranking Democratic position. There are several vacancies on the committee that remain to be filled. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) ON THE HILL ~~Dairy Bills Introduced in Senate~~Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) has introduced several bills designed to help dairy producers. The Milk Marketing Reform Act (S. 42) would prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from using distance or transportation costs from any location as the basis for pricing milk, unless significant quantities of milk are actually transported from that location into the recipient market. Feingold said the federal pricing formula is fundamentally flawed, and it creates regional disparities between the Upper Midwest and other parts of the country. Another bill (S. 43) is titled "Democracy for Dairy Producers." It would allow modified bloc voting by cooperative associations of milk producers in connection with a referendum on Federal Milk Marketing Order reform. The Quality Cheese Act (S. 40) would prohibit products that contain dry ultra-filtered milk from being labeled as domestic natural cheese. All of the bills have been referred to the Senate Agriculture Committee. ~~Senator Outlines Priority Agriculture Issues~~During a rally for drought assistance this week, Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) called for a new approach to "bring a higher percentage of the food dollar to agricultural producers." Burns is a senior member of the Senate Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee. He said one of his legislative priorities in the new Congress is to pass a captive shipper bill that will help reduce the transportation cost burden on the small producers who transport their goods by rail. Burns also wants legislation to increase port inspection on outgoing grain by the USDA to reduce docking by the grain companies on the producers. Another top issue for the senator is to find a way to reduce foreign product purchase by agents, and allow market forces to naturally affect prices through supply and demand, rather than an artificial ceiling imposed by foreign governments. Finally, Burns said the nation needs more education on the real scope of the farm bill. He pointed out that of the $182 billion in the farm bill, over 70% goes to food and nutrition programs, and an additional 10% goes to conservation, administrative, and commodity marketing programs. Burns said "only 18% of that balance is allocated for commodity assistance programs for producers, yet the producers of our nation have been demonized as taking huge sums of federal handouts, when in fact, that is not the case." ~~New Chairman of House Resources Committee Announced~~Rep. Richard Pombo (R-Calif.) has been elected chairman of the House Resources Committee. He will replace Rep. James Hansen (R-Utah), who retired at the end of the 107th Congress. The committee has jurisdiction over a wide range of issues including national parks, recreation, mineral resources, forest health, wildlife and fisheries. Rep. Pombo has served as chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, which has worked on issues such as Endangered Species Act reform, water rights, and private property rights. In the 107th Congress, Pombo also served as chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock. ~~Senate Democrats Outline Legislative Priorities~~Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and the Senate Democratic Caucus this week introduced a package of twelve priority bills that they will push for in the new Congress. The package includes emergency farm disaster assistance (S. 21) and comprehensive homeland security upgrades. Other priority issues are: prescription drug benefits, pension protection, a minimum wage increase, education reform, child care, and global warming. ~~House Republicans Announce Agenda~~Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Republican Conference, this week announced that one of the GOP's top legislative priorities in the new Congress will be passage of an economic stimulus and job creation package. House leaders hope to complete work on FY03 appropriations bills before the end of January, then craft a budget resolution for FY04. In addition to ongoing oversight and supplemental funding for homeland security activities, Republicans will also try to pass a welfare reform bill, a prescription drug and Medicare reform measure, a comprehensive energy policy, bankruptcy reform, and liability reform. ~~New Homeland Security Committee Established~~The full House this week approved an organizational resolution to create a Select Committee on Homeland Security, which will oversee the new Department of Homeland Security. Rep. Chris Cox (R-Calif.) has been selected to chair the new committee. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) ENVIRONMENT BRIEFS ~~EPA Withdraws Clean Water TMDL Rule~~The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it is formally withdrawing the Clinton administration's controversial rules on the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program under the Clean Water Act. The original rule, which was finalized in July 2000, would have taken effect in May 2003 unless action was taken by the agency. NASDA and other agricultural organizations strongly opposed the 2000 rule because it would have imposed strict, new controls on nonpoint sources instead of allowing best management practices. EPA intends to propose a new "watershed rule" in the coming months. According to the agency, the original rule was determined to be unworkable based on thousands of public comments and for reasons that were challenged in court by some two dozen parties. The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires states to identify waters not meeting water quality standards and to develop plans for cleaning them up. The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program provides a process for determining pollution allocations for the nation's waters to ensure that Clean Water Act goals will be met. ~~Corps and EPA Issue Guidance on Wetlands~~The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in conjunction with USDA and other federal agencies, have released a comprehensive action plan and improved guidance to ensure effective, scientifically-based restoration of wetlands impacted by development activities. According to the agencies, the effort is to "achieve the goal of no net loss of the [n]ation's wetlands, and clarify policies to ensure ecologically sound, predictable, and enforceable wetlands restoration." The National Wetlands Mitigation Action Plan lists 17 action items that the agencies will undertake to improve the effectiveness of restoring wetlands that are impacted or lost to activities governed by clean water laws. A revised Regulatory Guidance Letter emphasizes a watershed approach to prospective mitigation efforts for proposed projects impacting wetlands and other waters, and the increased use of functional assessment tools. In addition, the guidance letter emphasizes monitoring, long-term management, and financial assurances to help ensure that restored wetlands actually result in planned environmental gains. The guidance letter also provides greater consistency across the Corps 38 district offices on issues such as the timing of mitigation activities and the party responsible for mitigation success. Copies of the National Wetlands Mitigation Action Plan and the Regulatory Guidance Letter are available on the Corps and EPA websites at http://www.usace.army.mil or http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/. ~~Global Warming Bill Sparks Debate~~Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the new chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, and ranking member Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) are introducing new legislation that would impose mandatory limits on U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases. A preliminary hearing on the Climate Stewardship Act was held on January 8. The legislation is a radical change from the administration's policy which favors voluntary reductions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity generation, transportation, industrial, and commercial economic sectors as defined by EPA's inventory of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and sinks. It would require aggregate emissions by the four sectors in 2010 to be reduced to the 2000 level and by 2016 to be cut to the 1990 level. This would mean estimated reductions in aggregate emissions of 5 percent and 15 percent respectively. The Kyoto Treaty would have required the United States to cut its emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels in 2008 to 2012. ~~EPA Issues Rule on Methyl Bromide Exemptions~~The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule to implement certain methyl bromide exemptions from the international treaty banning ozone-harming chemicals. The rule creates an exemption from the consumption and production phaseout for methyl bromide that is used on commodities for quarantine and preshipment. Methyl bromide is a widely used pesticide that is being phased out under the 1990 Montreal Protocol because it has been blamed for depleting the ozone layer. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) FOOD SAFETY BRIEFS ~~USDA Solicits Applications for Food Safety and Pest Management Grants~~USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) has announced a Request for Applications (RFA) for their National Integrated Food Safety Initiative. The Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program provides funding for integrated, multifunctional agricultural research, extension, and education activities. Funding is announced through a separate Request for Applications (RFA) for each program. At this time, CSREES is soliciting fiscal year FY03 applications for the Food Safety and Integrated Pest Management areas of this program. Food Safety applications must be received by close of business on February 28, 2003. Integrated Pest Management applications must be received by close of business on March 31, 2003. CSREES is also soliciting applications for a related but separate funding program, the Special Research Grants Program-Pest Management Alternatives Research (PMAP). This program addresses needs in integrated pest management for food, feed, fiber, forest, livestock, and ornamental commodities resulting from the loss of pest management tools related to regulatory actions. PMAP applications must be received by close of business on February 28, 2003. Detailed information is posted on the CSREES Funding Opportunities webpage at http://www.reeusda.gov/1700/funding/rfaintegrated_03.htm. ~~Consumer Group Says FDA Cannot Assure Safety of GE Foods~~A new report issued by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) says that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lacks both the authority and the information to adequately evaluate the safety of genetically engineered (GE) foods. The consumer group pointed out that currently biotechnology companies are encouraged--but not required--to submit safety-testing data to the FDA for its review. The report also claims technical shortcomings in the safety data provided by biotech companies, as well as some errors that the FDA failed to detect. The CSPI report recommends a mandatory pre-market approval system that requires biotechnology companies to submit much more detailed testing information and obtain FDA approval before marketing the product. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) STATE NEWS STATE HELPS FARMERS MEET WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES --Partnerships, Certified Planners and AEM Contribute to New York's Success New York State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers and Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty have announced significant progress in the development of nutrient management plans to address water quality concerns on large livestock operations throughout New York State. The Federal Clean Water Act, signed into law in 1972, provided a mechanism to regulate industries having a potential to discharge pollutants into waterways. This law required that certain large livestock farms obtain a permit to operate. New York State responded with the development of a general permit for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) through DEC. A CAFO is any farm that houses a significant number of animals for at least 45 days in a year. For example, a farm with more than 700 mature dairy cows is considered a large CAFO, while a farm with 200 mature dairy cows is a medium-sized CAFO. New York currently has 137 large CAFOs and 500 medium-sized CAFOs. "Governor Pataki has made New York State a national leader in the protection of our environment and we are making significant progress by controlling pollution at its source," DEC Commissioner Crotty said. "Through a collaborative effort with the Department of Agriculture and Markets and the farming community, we have established an effective program to address discharges at CAFOs across the State, helping to maintain high water quality and preserve New York's natural resources." New York State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers said, "Nearly all of our large livestock farms have successfully completed plans as a condition of their CAFO permits and we continue to make progress with our mid-sized farms. Developing nutrient management plans that address both business and environmental objectives helps ensure the vital role our livestock producers play in the production of our food, maintenance of our open space and the protection of our natural resources. New York's CAFO permitting process is a proven success here and is used as a role model nationwide." The CAFO permit requires the development of a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP), which addresses pollution concerns and is tailored to the goals of the individual farm. Implementing a nutrient management plan may require significant changes in the operation of the farm, and may have the potential to be costly. New York's Agricultural Environmental Management program (AEM) assists farmers by providing technical assistance and financial incentives. County Soil and Water Conservation Districts apply for planning and implementation grants on behalf of farmers through the state's Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Grant Program. The development and implementation of nutrient management plans is accomplished by a team of professionals, led by the farmer and coordinated by a state certified planner. The planner's role includes discussing farm objectives with the farm operator and developing plan components, including nutrient management, wastewater control, and emergency planning. The planner also assists the farmer with ongoing plan implementation, which involves technical assistance, plan evaluation and plan revisions. The expertise required to assist farmers in the development of these comprehensive plans called for the training of public and private sector planners. The state adopted a planner certification process utilizing USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service standards. This certification process serves as an ongoing quality control component to help assure environmental regulators, producers, and the public that high-quality plans are being developed and federal standards are consistently met. Currently, the program has trained 189 public and private sector planners. Twenty-six have achieved full certification and 163 are currently in the certification process. Currently, 260 CAFOs have successfully completed their nutrient management plans. Federal and State regulators are now focusing on efforts to ensure that plans are implemented. The Environmental Protection Agency and DEC are developing a compliance strategy involving the inspection of CAFO facilities. Complaint based inspections will continue as necessary statewide, and random inspections will be piloted in western New York. Through strong public and private teamwork considerable progress has been made to develop and implement Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans statewide. Nutrient management plan development is a key component of New York's AEM program, signed into law by Governor George Pataki in 2000. Nearly 9,000 farms are participating in the AEM program statewide and over $32 million has been appropriated for agricultural nonpoint source pollution control planning, implementation, and local technical assistance since 1996. (Contact: Jessica Chittenden, 518/457-3136) NEW LEADERSHIP PROGRAM TO DEVELOP CONSERVATION'S BEST Fourteen professionals have been selected from across the state to represent the first class of the Colorado Conservation Leadership Program (CCLP). "We want to cultivate the leadership qualities of the board members within the conservation districts," said Bob Zebroski, director of the State Conservation Board. "The fires and drought have increased the responsibilities and needs of each district, so we wanted to help develop new leadership to handle this increasing pressure on natural resources." The 2003 class participants are Dirk Banks, Loveland; Nancy Berges, Julesburg; Karen Berry, Wheatridge; Leroy Brase, Lamar; Brenda Gallagher, Watkins; Paul Krabacher, Grand Junction; Ethel McCarthy, Meeker; Steve Miles, Cortez; Bob Miner, Palmer Lake; Danny Neufeld, Hooper; Megan Phillips, Mesa; Claricy Rusk, Westcliffe; Monte Smith, Blanca; and Brian Starkebaum, Haxtun. Nominated by their conservation districts, these individuals will take part in a 14-month program with all fees covered by CCLP. Participants will first take part in a three-day training, which will be held in conjunction with the Conservation District Legislative Day at the capitol on January 20. "As they demonstrate their leadership, we'll have new spokespeople for conservation as well as agriculture," said Zebroski. In addition to training, the program includes meetings in Colorado, Hawaii, and Maryland. Training sessions will discuss the mission of the conservation districts, goal setting and planning, district policy, networking, media and political relations, and conflict resolution. CCLP is open to all conservation district board members in Colorado. Sponsors of the program are the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, Colorado State Conservation Board, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Colorado State Cooperative Extension. The conservation districts were established more than 60 years ago when a severe drought plagued much of the nation's agriculture, resulting in severe erosion of the land. A law eventually created the local conservation districts, which have made many strides in erosion control. A division of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the State Conservation Board advises the 77 conservation districts in the state and coordinates the programs of all districts. (Contact: Bob Zebroski, 303/866-2545) |
||