2007 Farm and Forests Bill

Over the course of 2006, Congress will begin to formulate the 2007 Farm Bill, a measure that will set a five to ten year spending plan providing billions in annual funding for agriculture and forestry.

The Northern Forest Alliance and the Appalachian Mountain Club have teamed to organize representatives from the forest products industry, private landowner groups, hunting and angling organizations, and conservation interests to push for measures in the next Farm Bill that will provide strong support for forest stewardship, wildlife habitat improvements, and land conservation.

We intend to make the next Farm Bill
into the Farm and Forests Bill.

While our regional collaboration is still ongoing, we have already identified some clear points of consensus for all the organizations participating:

1. Support state forest stewardship programs:

The Farm Bill should continue to provide strong support for private forest landowners through our state forestry agencies, including the Forest Stewardship Program, Urban and Community Forestry Program, and cooperative extension forestry programs.

2. Fund cost-share and incentive programs:

The Farm Bill should continue to help private landowners and municipalities manage their lands to high standards by funding the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, Forest Land Enhancement Program, and others. There should also be exploration of market-based incentives to private landowners to provide ecosystem services, such as watershed protection.

3. Support forest conservation:

The Farm Bill should support forest conservation, including continued strong funding for the Forest Legacy Program and efforts to create and conserve community forests.

4. Support our forest-based economy:

The Farm Bill should support local economic development programs that help communities and businesses maximize forest-based economic opportunities, such as the Rural Community Assistance Program and Forest Products Conservation and Recycling Program.

In December we sent a joint letter containing these core principles to the Northern Forest congressional delegation. The letter was signed by a strong and diverse mix of forty-two public and private organizations, including state forestry and wildlife agencies, timber industry groups, timberland owners associations, state universities, wildlife organizations, and conservation groups.

For more information, please visit the
USDA's Farm Bill Forums Page