[Pollinator] 1. Opportunity to Encourage Producers to Include Pollinator Points in Farm Bill Comments to House Ag. 2. CoE Files Pollinator Comments on NRCS Conservation Practice Standards.

[R. Thomas Van Arsdall]

Dear Pollinator Supporters:

 

Action continues on a dual track of working to improve the next farm bill
for pollinators while continuing to "pollinate" current conservation
programs for the benefit of pollinators.  Following are an opportunity to
take action by encouraging producers to make pollinator points when
commenting on the next farm bill and a report on pollinator comments just
filed on NRCS conservation practices standards.  RTVA

 

 

OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE PRODUCERS TO INCLUDE POLLINATOR POINTS 

IN FARM BILL COMMENTS TO HOUSE AG

 

SUGGESTED ACTION:  U.S. Collaborators & Supporters who are in a position to
do so can advance farm bill-related pollinator objectives by-

1.     Alerting your Agricultural Producer Contacts to the opportunity to
file farm bill comments on the House Agriculture Committee's Web Site,
through December 31, and

2.     Encouraging Agricultural Producers to include a Statement of Support
for Pollinator-Friendly Provisions in conservation, research and other
Titles in the Next Farm Bill 

 

A 2-pager providing suggested Talking Points for Producers and additional
background is attached.  

 

The basic objective of this outreach effort is to raise the profile of
pollinators in this preliminary round of the farm bill debate.  Simple
points are more likely to make the cut when producers are preparing their
comments on a range of issues.  The additional background may help raise
awareness among producers themselves.  Feel free to improve upon and tailor
for your own efforts.

 

Background

 

The House Agriculture Committee is inviting comments via the Committee's web
site from producers around the country about current farm policy, and what
is working and what could be improved.  While the information submitted on
the website will not be part of the official Congressional record, the
Committee indicates the feedback will be helpful as the farm bill debate
moves forward in 2007.

*        The web address is:
http://www.agriculture.house.gov/inside/feedbackform.html.

*        Comments will be accepted through December 31, 2006.

 

It would be helpful to the pollinator cause if the House Agriculture
Committee heard from a number of interested and concerned producers about
the importance of pollinators and expressions of support for
pollinator-friendly provisions in the next farm bill-even if only briefly as
part of broader input.  

 

In visiting with one producer, he indicated he had not have thought of
including mention of pollinators, but will gladly do so now that he has been
provided with suggested talking points.

 

We will be keeping a pollinator eye open for similar opportunities during
this farm bill reauthorization cycle.  Don't hesitate to contact me if you
have any questions or need additional information.

 

Thank you in advance for any action you might take (we would appreciate your
letting us know).

 

 

CoE POLLINATOR COMMENTS SUBMITTED 

ON CURRENT NRCS CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARDS

 

Attached for your information is a copy of comments just filed by CoE
recommending pollinator-related enhancements to proposed changes to USDA
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation practice
standards for reclamation efforts at working and abandoned mine sites.  In
addition to offering recommendations (which may be more detailed than likely
to be accepted in these general guidance documents), such comments also
provide a forum for increasing awareness among NRCS staff charged with
designing and implementing a suite of conservation programs.

 

NRCS has indicated comments on these conservation practices standards will
be accepted through July 7.  Anyone interested in submitting comments can
contact me for additional information at tom at vanarsdall.com.  

 

Comments were filed under the CoE banner since such statements cannot be
submitted under the auspices of NAPPC.  However, much of the information is
based on information developed earlier by NAPPC committees.  This builds on
earlier precedents in which CoE filed pollinator comments on the NRCS
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation
Stewardship Program (CSP).  It is important to continue the ongoing effort
to "pollinate" NRCS staff and the suite of current conservation programs as
such opportunities arise.  If you become aware of additional opportunities
to weigh in on behalf of pollinators, please advise.    

 

NRCS is taking pollinator-beneficial action in a number of areas, and the
potential for additional progress is high.  Given limited resources, an
important goal is to work out a more efficient and consistent collaboration
with NRCS so that appropriate, pollinator-related enhancements will be
considered any time the agency is considering changes to current programs
and policies.

 

Sincerely Shared, 

 

R. Thomas (Tom) Van Arsdall, Public Affairs Representative for Coevolution
Institute/NAPPC

   Van Arsdall & Associates

   13605 McLane Place

   Fredericksburg, VA  22407-2344

   (540) 785-0949

   tom at vanarsdall.com