The House and Senate Agriculture Committees are moving quickly to
begin to 'mark up' the 2007 Farm Bill.

The House Agriculture Committee has announced that Subcommittees
will take up their respective portions of the Farm Bill beginning
the week of May 21. We have not heard an official announcement, but
expect the Senate Agriculture Committee to take up its version of a
new Farm Bill in the next few weeks as well.

People and organizations who care about conservation programs in the
Farm Bill have a great chance to make their views known when House
and Senate members are back in their home states over the Memorial
Day recess, May 25 through June 4. Members of Congress often attend
public input sessions, and are often available to meet with
constituents in their home state during the recess.

Despite the tremendous popularity of and need for Farm Bill
conservation programs, it appears it will be a struggle to gain an
increase in funding for important programs like the Conservation
Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, and Wildlife Habitat
Incentives Program. In fact, some on Capitol Hill say Farm Bill
conservation program funding is at risk, given the proposals by
others to direct funds to pursue biofuels and other alternative
energy, provide new commodity program payments for fruit and
vegetable growers, and continue existing commodity, food, and export
programs in the Farm Bill.

If Farm Bill conservation programs are important to you, speak up!

Duane Hovorka
National Wildlife Federation