2002 Kansas Report

Next Golden Age of Conservation

"I am pleased that the compromise agreement on the Farm Bill resulted in...the strongest conservation provisions of any Farm Bill ever passed by Congress," said Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman

The 2002 Farm Bill Summary

The 2002 Farm Bill recognizes the unique challenges of:

• Farmers and ranchers who are just beginning their agricultural operations
• Those with limited financial resources
• American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes who have a special relationship with the U.S.Government
• Equity in accessing USDA programs and services
• Voluntary participation
• Conservation of natural resources on land under the jurisdiction of an Indian Tribe

Enhancements include:

• Flexibility in decision making with most decisions made at the Tribal, state, or local level
• Programs and services improved
• Delivery of technical and financial assistance streamlined

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP):

• More responsive to customer needs
• More flexibility for local decisions
• Cost-share assistance increased up to 90%
• Elimination of bid-down provision
• Payments made more quickly
• Shorter term contracts
• New provision of EQIP, Ground and Surface Water Conservation (EQIP-GW)

Other programs were continued:

• Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)
• Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
• Farmland Protection Program (FPP)
• Technical assistance for protecting private grazing land

Conservation Opportunities

New programs and provisions:

• Conservation Security Program
• Conservation Innovation Grants
• Technical Service Providers

Possible 2002 Farm Bill Conservation Funding for Kansas (figures in millions of dollars)

Does not include Conservation Reserve Program, Glassland Reserve or Conservation Security Program.

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