farm bill

Ducks Unlimited joins other conservation, sportsmen's groups in support of Sodsaver In a letter submitted this week, hunting and fishing and conservation groups urged House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (OK) and ranking member Collin Peterson (MN) to adopt the Farm Bill's Sodsaver provision to promote "responsible stewardship of agricultural land and direct program benefits to acreage that is most suited for crop production."

AFWA legislative director to lead DU Governmental Affairs Office WASHINGTON - May 9, 2012 - Ducks Unlimited announced today that Gary Taylor, current legislative director for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), will be joining the organization as DU's new director of governmental affairs in Washington, D.C., beginning in June.

DU applauds 2012 Farm Bill committee passage WASHINGTON - April 26, 2012 - Ducks Unlimited announced its support and appreciation of the Senate Agricultural Committee today as it passed the 2012 Farm Bill out of committee.

DU recognizes Senate agricultural committee's progress on 2012 Farm Bill ANN ARBOR, Mich. – April 23, 2012 – Ducks Unlimited compliments the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and its chairwoman, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, on the April 20 introduction of the 2012 Farm Bill in the Senate.

Farmer fly-in, congressional testimony help shape agriculture's link to conservation Ducks Unlimited staffers joined farmers on Capitol Hill last week in an attempt to build on the relationship between agricultural producers and wetlands conservation.

DU public policy staff leads Great Lakes conservation talks in Washington Ducks Unlimited's Great Lakes/Atlantic Region participated in Great Lakes Days in Washington, D.C., which included a Great Lakes Commission (GLC) meeting, White House briefings and visits with members of Congress.

DU staff among key speakers on wetlands protection, conservation funding at Kansas Natural Resources Conference Last week, two members of Ducks Unlimited's conservation staff were among four key speakers during a plenary session at the Kansas Natural Resources Conference in Wichita. This year's conference, with a theme of "Wetlands: The Jewels of Kansas," was attended by nearly 400 representatives from the state and regional conservation community.

The Farm Bill, Ducks and You The 2012 Farm Bill is scheduled to be reauthorized next year, and depending on the outcome, this single piece of legislation will either positively or negatively impact millions of acres of wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitat across the United States.

Michigan DU volunteers speak up for conservation during August recess Ducks Unlimited volunteers in Michigan used August recess as an opportunity to highlight the importance of conservation programs with some of our nation's top leaders and policymakers.

Wetlands and the Farm Bill Your support will be needed to save key agricultural conservation programs in upcoming legislation

Don''t Put More Fields into Production Michigan DU state chair Terry Laymon responds to an article in the press regarding conservation programs in the Farm Bill.

Policy News 3-12 Congress returns from recess to address FY2011 budget issues; DU Western Region staff discuss impact of water shortages with with Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner; Nebraska Senator Addresses Ducks Unlimited state convention

Record Year for Wetlands Reserve Program Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced in December that the nation’s farmers, ranchers, and Native American tribes enrolled more than 272,000 acres in the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) during fiscal year 2010, the highest single-year enrollment since the program began in 1990. More than 2.3 million acres are currently enrolled in WRP nationwide.

Conservation: Can we save CRP? Without your help, this important agricultural conservation program faces an uncertain future

Policy News 3-3 DU conservation staff discuss common ground issues with Farm Bureau; Conservation hero makes surprise visit to GLARO office, discusses issues affecting Great Lakes region; Sen. Stabenow, DU present at Farm Bill Forum; DU's Conservation Programs Committee meets to discuss 2012 Farm Bill, Clean Water and other policy issues

Policy News 2-52 DU recognizes 25th anniversary of Conservation Reserve Program

A Duck's-Eye-View Waterfowl winging their way across North America have a unique perspective that is hard to image - unless you're a small aircraft pilot. Ducks Unlimited biologists keep this perspective in mind as they plan and implement conservation projects for waterfowl, knowing that ducks, geese, and swans need a mix of habitat types in fairly close proximity to meet their biological needs.

DU salutes USDA's support, commitment to conservation on 25th anniversary of CRP MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Dec. 23, 2010 - This year marks the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Conservation Reserve Program. The Food Security Act of 1985 established the CRP, arguably the greatest landscape-level conservation program ever.

Sodsaver: Saving America's Prairies A new wave of grassland conversion has occurred in the last decade, causing significant ecological and sociological impacts to the region. Current farm policy is fueling the destruction of this rare and important habitat. Congress must implement a policy in the 2012 Farm Bill to reverse this trend. Ducks Unlimited suggests calling this the "Sodsaver" provision.

The Farm Bill, Ducks, and the Economy When most of us think of the Farm Bill, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) immediately comes to mind. We also think about how this program helps increase duck populations and can put more birds over our decoy spreads.

Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) The GRP is a voluntary conservation program administered by the USDA's NRCS that helps landowners protect grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving grassland, including rangeland, pastureland, shrub land, and other landscapes.

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Conservation Reserve Program provides annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to producers who take marginal cropland out of production and restore it to wildlife habitat.

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) The continental United States has already lost more than 50 percent of its wetlands and continues to lose these habitats at an alarming rate. One of the most successful federal conservation programs is the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), which provides a voluntary, non-regulatory, incentive-based way for private landowners, farmers, and ranchers to protect and restore wetlands on their property.

Farm Bill DU supports agricultural policy that conserves soil, water, wetlands, grasslands, and forests upon which both people and wildlife depend. The Farm Bill is the most effective tool for conserving wildlife habitat on private land, and it's DU's objective that both waterfowl and their habitats benefit from this policy.

Policy News 2-50 Bill outlawing importation of Asian carp into U.S. one step closer to becoming law; DU public policy director touts Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative at USA Rice Outlook Conference; Newly appointed chairmen to lead committees integral to Farm Bill programs, clean water policy

Wetlands and Ducks in the Balance Passage of the Clean Water Restoration Act is vital to the future of the nation’s wetlands and waterfowl .

Americas New Farm Bill Changes to Farm Bill programs mean your support for DU’s habitat conservation work is more vital than ever.

Winter Homes for Waterfowl Farm Bill programs help ensure that wintering grounds across the continent continue to meet the needs of ducks and geese.

Fueling the Migration During spring, waterfowl need high-quality wetland habitat to fuel their journey to the breeding grounds.

CRP - Conservation Reserve Program In 1985, spring surveys by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service placed waterfowl breeding populations at 25.6 million ducks and predicted a fall flight of 54.5 million. Mallards, pintails and blue-winged teal in particular were in trouble, with populations at or near their lowest in the 30-year history of the surveys.

Ducks Unlimited joins other conservation, sportsmen's groups in support of Sodsaver

In a letter submitted this week, hunting and fishing and conservation groups urged House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (OK) and ranking member Collin Peterson (MN) to adopt the Farm Bill's Sodsaver provision to promote "responsible stewardship of agricultural land and direct program benefits to acreage that is most suited for crop production."

AFWA legislative director to lead DU Governmental Affairs Office

WASHINGTON - May 9, 2012 - Ducks Unlimited announced today that Gary Taylor, current legislative director for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), will be joining the organization as DU's new director of governmental affairs in Washington, D.C., beginning in June.

DU applauds 2012 Farm Bill committee passage

WASHINGTON - April 26, 2012 - Ducks Unlimited announced its support and appreciation of the Senate Agricultural Committee today as it passed the 2012 Farm Bill out of committee.

DU recognizes Senate agricultural committee's progress on 2012 Farm Bill

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – April 23, 2012 – Ducks Unlimited compliments the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and its chairwoman, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, on the April 20 introduction of the 2012 Farm Bill in the Senate.

Farmer fly-in, congressional testimony help shape agriculture's link to conservation

Ducks Unlimited staffers joined farmers on Capitol Hill last week in an attempt to build on the relationship between agricultural producers and wetlands conservation.

DU public policy staff leads Great Lakes conservation talks in Washington

Ducks Unlimited's Great Lakes/Atlantic Region participated in Great Lakes Days in Washington, D.C., which included a Great Lakes Commission (GLC) meeting, White House briefings and visits with members of Congress.

DU staff among key speakers on wetlands protection, conservation funding at Kansas Natural Resources Conference

Last week, two members of Ducks Unlimited's conservation staff were among four key speakers during a plenary session at the Kansas Natural Resources Conference in Wichita. This year's conference, with a theme of "Wetlands: The Jewels of Kansas," was attended by nearly 400 representatives from the state and regional conservation community.

The Farm Bill, Ducks and You

The 2012 Farm Bill is scheduled to be reauthorized next year, and depending on the outcome, this single piece of legislation will either positively or negatively impact millions of acres of wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitat across the United States.

Michigan DU volunteers speak up for conservation during August recess

Ducks Unlimited volunteers in Michigan used August recess as an opportunity to highlight the importance of conservation programs with some of our nation's top leaders and policymakers.

Wetlands and the Farm Bill

Your support will be needed to save key agricultural conservation programs in upcoming legislation

Don''t Put More Fields into Production

Michigan DU state chair Terry Laymon responds to an article in the press regarding conservation programs in the Farm Bill.

Policy News 3-12

Congress returns from recess to address FY2011 budget issues; DU Western Region staff discuss impact of water shortages with with Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner; Nebraska Senator Addresses Ducks Unlimited state convention

Record Year for Wetlands Reserve Program

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced in December that the nation’s farmers, ranchers, and Native American tribes enrolled more than 272,000 acres in the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) during fiscal year 2010, the highest single-year enrollment since the program began in 1990. More than 2.3 million acres are currently enrolled in WRP nationwide.

Conservation: Can we save CRP?

Without your help, this important agricultural conservation program faces an uncertain future

Policy News 3-3

DU conservation staff discuss common ground issues with Farm Bureau; Conservation hero makes surprise visit to GLARO office, discusses issues affecting Great Lakes region; Sen. Stabenow, DU present at Farm Bill Forum; DU's Conservation Programs Committee meets to discuss 2012 Farm Bill, Clean Water and other policy issues

Policy News 2-52

DU recognizes 25th anniversary of Conservation Reserve Program

A Duck's-Eye-View

Waterfowl winging their way across North America have a unique perspective that is hard to image - unless you're a small aircraft pilot. Ducks Unlimited biologists keep this perspective in mind as they plan and implement conservation projects for waterfowl, knowing that ducks, geese, and swans need a mix of habitat types in fairly close proximity to meet their biological needs.

DU salutes USDA's support, commitment to conservation on 25th anniversary of CRP

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Dec. 23, 2010 - This year marks the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Conservation Reserve Program. The Food Security Act of 1985 established the CRP, arguably the greatest landscape-level conservation program ever.

Sodsaver: Saving America's Prairies

A new wave of grassland conversion has occurred in the last decade, causing significant ecological and sociological impacts to the region. Current farm policy is fueling the destruction of this rare and important habitat. Congress must implement a policy in the 2012 Farm Bill to reverse this trend. Ducks Unlimited suggests calling this the "Sodsaver" provision.

The Farm Bill, Ducks, and the Economy

When most of us think of the Farm Bill, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) immediately comes to mind. We also think about how this program helps increase duck populations and can put more birds over our decoy spreads.

Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)

The GRP is a voluntary conservation program administered by the USDA's NRCS that helps landowners protect grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving grassland, including rangeland, pastureland, shrub land, and other landscapes.

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

Administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Conservation Reserve Program provides annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to producers who take marginal cropland out of production and restore it to wildlife habitat.

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)

The continental United States has already lost more than 50 percent of its wetlands and continues to lose these habitats at an alarming rate. One of the most successful federal conservation programs is the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), which provides a voluntary, non-regulatory, incentive-based way for private landowners, farmers, and ranchers to protect and restore wetlands on their property.

Farm Bill

DU supports agricultural policy that conserves soil, water, wetlands, grasslands, and forests upon which both people and wildlife depend. The Farm Bill is the most effective tool for conserving wildlife habitat on private land, and it's DU's objective that both waterfowl and their habitats benefit from this policy.

Policy News 2-50

Bill outlawing importation of Asian carp into U.S. one step closer to becoming law; DU public policy director touts Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative at USA Rice Outlook Conference; Newly appointed chairmen to lead committees integral to Farm Bill programs, clean water policy

Wetlands and Ducks in the Balance

Passage of the Clean Water Restoration Act is vital to the future of the nation’s wetlands and waterfowl .

Americas New Farm Bill

Changes to Farm Bill programs mean your support for DU’s habitat conservation work is more vital than ever.

Winter Homes for Waterfowl

Farm Bill programs help ensure that wintering grounds across the continent continue to meet the needs of ducks and geese.

Fueling the Migration

During spring, waterfowl need high-quality wetland habitat to fuel their journey to the breeding grounds.

CRP - Conservation Reserve Program

In 1985, spring surveys by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service placed waterfowl breeding populations at 25.6 million ducks and predicted a fall flight of 54.5 million. Mallards, pintails and blue-winged teal in particular were in trouble, with populations at or near their lowest in the 30-year history of the surveys.

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