Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Group Backs Conservation

Over 300 conservationists from 47 state soil and water conservation associations recently told lawmakers in Washington, D.C., that a long-term commitment to natural resource conservation will help assure profitability, sustainability and survivability for the American farmer and rancher.

With much of the nation focused on the current farm crisis, the conservation leaders gave personal examples of conservation practices that have helped them cut farm costs and maintain a productive resource base during downturns in the farm economy.

J. Randy Young P.E., executive director of the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission (ASWCC), told elected representatives from Arkansas to support efforts to maintain sound science and technical assistance provided to landowners by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The lawmakers were reminded that NRCS is the only federal agency that is focused entirely on natural resource conservation.

"The financial and technical assistance provided to farmers and ranchers, in cooperation with state conservation agencies and local soil and water conservation districts, has helped reduce soil erosion on cropland 40% over the past 15 years," Young said.

Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, speaking at the legislative conference of the National Association Conservation Districts, told the conservation leaders that during this farm crisis the administration is committed to "efforts to ensure that conservation is an even more important contributor to the farm safety net."

The Secretary noted that farmers are adding to their bottom line over the long-term when they become better nutrient managers, practice conservation tillage, rotational grazing, irrigation water management, and use bioengineered products that cut down on the need for pesticides.

"While the climate in Washington is not good when it comes to asking for conservation program support and more money for these programs," Young said, "I did hesitate to call on my elected officials to support sound conservation programs that I consider a natural legacy for my children and their children and future generations to come."

Another key message the conservation leaders carried to their legislators was the need to support legislation to help rehabilitate aging watershed structures created under the Small Watershed Program.

Of the 15,000 structures created over the past 50 years, it is estimated that 2,000 will need significant rehabilitation work by the year 2000. These small watershed containment structures have provided substantial contributions to the environment, economy and the social well being of Americans.

The Nevada County Conservation District is a local organization, led by local leaders whose goal is to seek available technical, financial and educational resources whatever their source and focus them on getting sound soil and water conservation practices on American's private lands. The office is located at 403 E. Second South in Prescott or you may call 887- 3210.