A News Release From
The Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts

 March 29, 1999

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Johnny G. Belew
Executive Vice President

Natural Resource Conservation Key to Sustainable Farm Economy

Little Rock – More than 300 conservationists from 47 state soil and water conservation associations recently told lawmakers in Washington, DC, that a long-term commitment to natural resource conservation will help assure profitability, sustainability, and survivability for the American farm 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.

Don Mitchell, President of the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts told members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation 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 by 40% over the past 15 years," said Mitchell.

Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, speaking at the legislative conference of the National Association of 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 those programs," said Mitchell, "I did not hesitate to call on my elected officials to support sound conservation programs that I consider a natural resource legacy for 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 (dams) have provided substantial contributions to the environment, economy and the social well being of Americans.

The Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts is composed of the 75 conservation districts located in each county in the state of Arkansas. The mission and purpose of these conservation districts is the conservation of the state’s land and water resources.

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