News Update
February 28, 2012
Conference to Examine Economics
of Providing Environmental Services
The economic nuts and bolts of paying farmers, ranchers and other landowners for providing environmental services will be examined at a conference April 17-18 at Resources for the Future, 1616 P St. NW, Washington, D.C. The conference is a collaboration of Farm Foundation, NFP, Resources for the Future and the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS).
"While the concept of recognizing the value of environmental services provided by farmers, ranchers and other landowners is sound, the practical implementation is quite complex," explains Sheldon Jones, vice president of Farm Foundation, NFP. "With this conference, we hope to highlight the diversity of issues and focus on how to improve the efficiency and efficacy of current and proposed approaches. The potential benefits are increased environmental returns on the investment and the ability to maximize financial resources — a critical issue when budgets are tight."
Conference sessions will examine issues related to payments provided by government agencies, or by private entities in response to government mandates or voluntary efforts with environmental objectives. Sessions will address tools to quantify environmental outcomes, verification of contracted practices, improving the integrity of environmental service markets and programs, and innovative approaches as reverse auctions or nudges. Presenters include landowners, producers staff from NGOs working in this arena, government agencies and academic researchers. The complete conference program is available at the project page on the Farm Foundation, NFP website.
The conference is targeted to policymakers, federal and state agency staff, producer groups, environmental organizations, NGOs and academic researchers. There is no fee to attend but registration is required. Register online by clicking here or visit the the conference website.
More than 640 Organizations Stand Strong
for Conservation Title in 2012 Farm Bill
"I am proud to stand with conservationists from all 50 states as we call for a strong Conservation Title in the 2012 Farm Bill," says Jon Scholl, president of American Farmland Trust (AFT). "We must have the most robust conservation spending possible to give farmers the programs they need to protect our farm and ranch land and to help keep our soils, water and other natural resources in the best condition possible."
AFT has joined with more than 640 organizations to send a letter supporting the Conservation Title to the Senate and House leadership of the Agriculture Committees.
This diverse group — representing landowners, farmers, ranchers, forest managers, agricultural and forest businesses, hunters and anglers, local and state government officials, and nonprofit organizations — knows firsthand the importance of conservation programs for the economic and environmental health of rural America. As the letter says, "The result is real conservation with multiple benefits for every region of America. Not the least of these is helping landowners to stay on the land as stewards of America's legacy of natural resources."
The letter reminds Congress that Conservation Title programs are implemented in unique partnerships — and cooperative conservation agreements — between the USDA and private landowners. This time-tested and successful model helps make conservation an engine of economic growth by advancing agriculture, forestry and outdoor recreation.
The organizations recognize that difficult decisions will be made while Congress works to reduce the federal deficit, noting, "… the proposal by the House and Senate Agriculture Committees in the Budget Control Act last year demonstrates that the Conservation Title can continue to meet vital national needs while sharing in budget reductions." At the same time, this letter is a clear indication of the importance of continued support for the Conservation Title. "We must keep moving forward, despite the fiscal challenges," says Scholl.
"It's time to recognize that the Conservation Title is a crucial strategic investment that underpins our health and prosperity today — one that will only gain in importance as we face increasing agricultural and environmental challenges in coming decades," Scholl concludes.
Colleges, Pfizer Create Learning Experience for Veterinarians
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences have announced a partnership with Pfizer Animal Health. This unique partnership between academia and industry will deliver the universities' expertise in medicine and teaching, supported by Pfizer Animal Health's information delivery and customer service know-how. Together, the partnership will offer veterinarians convenient web-based educational products utilizing the latest advances in educational technologies.
Practicing veterinarians need access to high-quality educational opportunities throughout their career, since the knowledge base that drives veterinary medicine continues to evolve after professionals have earned their degrees. The partnership between Cornell, Texas A&M, and Pfizer Animal Health will seek to transform the learning process, providing practitioners with unique opportunities to stay current with the latest discoveries in veterinary medicine, hone their clinical skills, incorporate current medical advances into decisions that affect patient care, and build more profitable practices. This collaboration will leverage technology to ensure convenient, round-the-clock access to these educational opportunities.
This partnership will utilize advanced technology to make high-quality, lifelong learning more accessible to veterinarians. The educational platform will allow practitioners and students to learn in an online environment that is interactive, experiential, and flexes to accommodate different styles of learning.
"At Pfizer Animal Health, we are proud to be part of this groundbreaking partnership with Cornell and Texas A&M, which will allow us to offer exciting opportunities for veterinarians to access world-class learning that will be highly relevant and immediately applicable to their practices, produced by undisputed leaders in their scientific fields and delivered in an exciting technology platform. This is just another example of our ongoing commitment to education, innovation and professional readiness for veterinarians and this partnership is just the vehicle to ensure sustained development and delivery of top-quality, unbiased, science-based education," said Michael McFarland, group director companion animal veterinary operations, U.S. Pfizer Animal Health.
Interactive Century Farms Site Seeking Recommendations
The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture launched an interactive website last year that invites the general public to celebrate the contribution of century farms to the heritage of our nation.
Century farms are those farms that have been in operation under the same family for more than 100 years. Appropriately named "Agriculture's Lasting Heritage," this website tells the story of American farm and ranch families who have shaped the history of our nation. The AFB Foundation for Agriculture is currently seeking recommendations of century farms to be considered for feature articles and videos.
Agriculture's Lasting Heritage commemorates more than the proud tradition of the American farm and ranch family, according to American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman, who also serves as president of the foundation.
"Farms and ranches that have been in the same family, and supporting family members and local communities for generations are proof of the true sustainable character of American agriculture today," Stallman said. "Farmers and ranchers, by nature, are always committed to leaving the land in better condition for the next generation. We are proud to help raise awareness of that through this new website."
The AFB Foundation for Agriculture is currently expanding the number of articles and videos featuring century farms. If you would like your farm or ranch to be considered, please go to www.agricultureslastingheritage.org/profiles and click "Submit Your Own Profile." You may also email inquiries to alh@fb.org.
Agriculture's lasting heritage in our nation is enduring and beneficial, due to the commitment farm and ranch families continue to make to the land, and to each other. This project would not be possible without the support of title sponsor Capreno® herbicide from Bayer CropScience.
To support the lasting heritage of our industry, visit http://www.agricultureslastingheritage.org/.
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