A Successful Fly-In for the National Association of Conservation Districts

The National Association of Conservation Districts recently hosted their annual fly-in to Washington DC. Second Vice President Bill Simhauser says that the officer team, members, and staff took part in the event where he says they focused on the Inflation Reduction Act money and conservation programs during their discussion with the Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief, Terry Cosby.

“It’s gonna be hard to get that money to conservation practices and get it on the ground and simply because of lack of staff with the NRCS and so we want to talk about the staffing and technical assistance there.

Simshauser said they also met with the Farm Service Agency and talk specifically about the Conservation Reserve Program.

“We would like to have the rental rate structure basically reverse so that the most erodible the most it's the brand has the highest rental rate. And the best farm ground the most productive land has the lowest rental rate. And the idea is there we want to be able to keep our most sensitive lands in the CRP and we still need to, you know, farm and have production on our best farm

ground.”

Additionally, Simshauser said they met with the Environmental Protection Agency and got a Waters of the US rule update and also met with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to get an update on forest management and fire mitigation.