FarmLife: Farmland Report: Working Toward 21st Century Solutions

My blog style has never been copy/paste, but today marks the second consecutive time I am taking something truly worthwhile and just transferring it without additional commentary. I think the issues as they are presented by the Farmland Report speak for themselves; I just hope to broaden the audience.

Working Toward 21^st Century Solutions at National Agricultural Landscape Forum

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How much land and water do we need to meet present and future demands for food, energy and environmental services? Recognizing tight budgets and multiple resource demands, 21st century solutions will require greater cooperation between farmers and ranchers, federal, state and local governments and private partners to focus on conservation outcomes.

Toward this end, USDA has partnered with us and Farm Foundation NFP to host a National Agricultural Landscape Forum in Washington D.C. on April 7-8, 2011. The forum is guided by a Blue Ribbon Panel of leaders in agriculture and conservation and is part of the public input process required by the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act (RCA) to improve the effectiveness of federal conservation and rural development programs. Come make your voice heard! Register now for the opportunity to take part in this critically important dialogue.

Charting New Waters Coalition: A Pledge to Protect Our Water

As the single largest user of land and water resources in America, farmers and ranchers can be a major part of the solution to the environmental challenge of water quality. That is why we have joined the Charting New Waters coalition, committing to help preserve our freshwater resources. You, too, can pledge to protect America’s waterways by taking our Clean Water Challenge: Match a Farmer’s Commitment.

Strong Economic Future Needs Conservation Programs

What’s on the horizon for the agriculture economy in 2011? Our president Jon Scholl offers his reflection from the USDA’s annual Ag Outlook Forum. The message was clear: the loss of farmland and increased demand for sustainably produced food and fuel puts even more pressure on our working lands. Yet right now, federal funds for conservation are in jeopardy. Help us protect programs that farmers need to provide a healthy future—ask the Senate to stop cuts to hard-won conservation programs!

For more information, please check this link.