Farm Bill

NASF is a founding member of the Forests in the Farm Bill Coalition, a diverse group of conservation, forest landowner, industry, academia, and community organizations that first came together in preparation for the 2008 Farm Bill. The coalition has joined forces again to ensure forests have a seat at the table in the 2012 Farm Bill reauthorization process.

The 2008 Farm Bill added new opportunities to increase conservation and improve management of private forests. Congress affirmed forests' importance to America's economic vitality and quality of life and put forest conservation on par with agriculture land conservation. These investments in private forests for the public good were a strong beginning. Since enactment of the 2008 bill, funding has supported such projects as wildlife habitat improvement, water quality improvement, carbon sequestration, wetlands restoration, insect and disease mitigation, prescribed burning, reforestation, windbreak plantings, and firebreaks that improved the health of America's private forests.

In September, NASF sent letters to House and Senate leaders to offer recommendations for the next Farm Bill that are priorities for State Foresters—many of which are shared by the Forests in the Farm Bill Coalition—and are essential in implementing each state's forest action plan. State Foresters recognize that writing the next Farm Bill will be as difficult as any in the past; as states face the most challenging fiscal environment since the Great Depression, State Foresters appreciate the difficult choices that come with spending decisions.