04/15/24 - 66 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/msuwtctm
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Proposed Federal Budget Will Zero-Out Farm Conservation Programs
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The Capital Resource Conservation and Development Area Council this week called on congressional leaders to preserve federal funding for conservation and economic development through the national RC&D program, which receives funding through the National Resource Conservation Service. Thousands of farmers, businesses, and individuals in South Central Pennsylvania will feel immediate impacts if FY2011 RC&D funds are eliminated.
“The Capital RC&D Council provided nearly $800,000 in services to South Central PA communities in 2010, including programs that directly benefited nearly 400 farmers and landowners,” said Capital RC&D Council Chair, Stephanie Williams. “On a national scale the 375 RC&D Councils created or retained over 12,327 jobs. A dynamic job creation engine like that should be extolled as a prime example of the effectiveness of federal funding, not targeted for elimination.”
The proposed cuts are part of a sweeping budget cut amendment introduced by Congressman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia during floor consideration of the FY2011 Continuing Resolution. The Goodlatte amendment jeopardizes funding for specific programs overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Resource Conservation Service, which includes the national RC&D program.
The nine statewide RC&D Councils in Pennsylvania provide a link between public and private organizations to improve local communities, economies, and environmental resources. Among their achievements in 2009 the Pennsylvania RC&D Councils: created or retained 230 farm jobs, helped to create, expand or retain 739 businesses, served nearly 250,000 citizens through local programs, and improved water quality in 174 rivers and streams through conservation projects.
“If passed, these cuts will result in a significant set back for our farmers, towns, cities and communities. Our programs have increased access to locally grown foods, improved farm profitability, and increased water quality in the regions we serve,” said Susan Richards, Capital RC&D Program Manager. “Our programs create jobs and efficiently leverage financial resources to support economic development and resource protection in rural areas.
On average, $6.93 or more is generated in local services for every $1.00 of federal funds invested in the RC&D program.”
Funding for the national RC&D program has for eight years been frozen at $50.73 million.
“We understand the financial crisis, but to completely eliminate funding for this vital community-focused program is not an option,” said Williams. “Our programs have continued to do more with less, as proven by nearly a decade of progress despite a frozen budget.”
Locally, the Capital RC&D Council assists communities in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York Counties. In the nine years since the non-profit Council was formed it has grown from one part-time employee and a federal Coordinator working with a volunteer board of 28, to today supporting three staff positions, support for 15 other positions, and a volunteer board of 33 with eight advisory members representing a broad spectrum of interests including community planners, engineering firms, energy producers, conservation professionals, commissioners, and volunteers.
Together, they have assisted nearly 400 landowners and farmers with program funds in the form of cost share or technical assistance visits. One of those programs, the “Grass Roots” project is helping farmers in fourteen South Central counties.
“Pennsylvania’s Dairymen are struggling, with many forced to make some tough decisions about the future of their farms. The Capital RC&D’s “Grass Roots” program has had a positive impact in local communities by helping farmers start a grazing system, and then also providing advisers for project assistance, “ said Titus Martin, Grass Roots Grazing Advisor. “The program assists farmers by teaching them how to properly manage their fields to produce more grass for feed as well as ground cover which helps farmers make fewer mistakes as they go through the learning curve in today’s economy.”
Jennifer Lane of Lebanon County participates in the Grass Roots program and has directly benefited from the opportunities offered through the Capital RC&D Council.
“Getting the cost share grant from Capital RC&D is what made it possible for us to really get started with our pasture -based livestock farming,” said Lane. “We could not have afforded to put in the fencing without their help.
And it is nice to have the support of grazing advisers to let us know how we are doing.”
The current Continuing Resolution extends the federal budget deadline to Friday, April 8 at which time Congress will either choose to accept the budget as proposed, or extend the Continuing Resolution to provide additional time for budget negotiations.
“The Capital RC&D Council calls upon our Congressional leaders to remove the NRCS and the national RC&D Council from the budget chopping block,” said Williams. “Hard times will be made even harder for the farmers and landowners we assist if the RC&D Council ceases to exist.”
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3/28/2011 |
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