Conservation Takes a Hit in House-Passed Continuing Resolution

The House passed a continuing resolution for government funding Friday - meaning the appropriations bills - including one for agriculture and related agencies - will be discarded along with riders some groups had objected. Most ag programs - such as food stamps - will remain at the same levels through March 27th of next year. The CR will prevent new enrollments in various conservation programs - such as the Conservation Stewardship Program - in Fiscal year 2013 - according to the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. NSAC Lobbyist Ferd Hoefner says the CR is a huge setback to conservation and to the farm bill baseline - which also decreases the chances for getting a farm bill done. The Senate is expected to take up the CR by Thursday and President Obama is expected to sign it - as the White House was part of the CR negotiations.

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