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Agenda - 03-19-1985
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Agenda - 03-19-1985
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9/8/2016 3:42:08 PM
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BOCC
Date
3/19/1985
Meeting Type
Regular Meeting
Document Type
Agenda
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- • • - I <br /> . • • ' - _ . <br /> . ' . <br /> . . <br /> - . <br /> . . <br /> . . <br /> _ v <br /> . ,. <br /> . . . <br /> - • . - - <br /> There are several factors that influence farmer participation. First there <br /> is federal agricultural policy. We presently have commodity programs that can . • <br /> acutally penalize the conservation farmer by reducing his base acres, disrupting <br /> • <br /> proper rotations, or encouraging farming of land more succeptable to erosion. <br /> Secondly there is economics. Operators who are facing immediate financial <br /> ruin have a hard time rationalizing an expenditure that has a return over a long <br /> period of time, perhaps not even in their lifetime. • , <br /> .. - ' - • .. <br /> . . <br /> . . . . <br /> . Tbirdly*there are guidelines placed on cost-share programs that are <br /> designed to limit participation. . <br /> . . . . . , <br /> . . <br /> • • • . <br /> . . - • . <br /> . ' Fourth there is the fact that the number of technical advisors within SCS. . <br /> . . <br /> • has been steadily decreasing. As with most farm operations, timing to implement. ... <br /> • . <br /> • conservation practices is critical. There are times of the year when field work <br /> cannot be done because of weather or crops. In many instances. SCS technicians •. • <br /> can only service 1/2 to 1/3 of the requests they receive. If a farmer cannot • - <br /> • • <br /> • ' receive timely assistance, he is not going to be able to participate. • . ' <br /> • • . . . <br /> . <br /> Lands use decisions are appropriately the province of private landowners . ! <br /> and units of local government. . • . <br /> . <br /> • <br /> While this statement is generally true, it ignores the fact that conserva- <br /> tion of soil and agricultural. production have national impacts. The majority of . <br /> agricultural products are not consumed in the location that produces- them. <br /> Metropolitan areas depend on food from all sections of the country. Grain <br /> exports have a major positive influence on the balance of trade with foreign : <br /> • <br /> countries. <br /> , . <br /> Keeping the soil in place, in addition to being necessary for continued <br /> productivity, lessens the cost to non-farm sectors. It has been estimated that <br /> the public spends more than $3 billion a year to mitigate problems of stream <br /> borne sediment. A $1 billion outlay for soil conservation can actually save <br /> taxpayers money. <br /> , • : <br /> The Federal government has spent over $25 billiOn for conservation since <br /> . - 1938 and is spending over $800 million annually with little noticeable affect in <br /> • • recent years <br /> A 1984 report published by the EPA on the impacts of conservation tillage <br /> on Lake Erie indicates that such conservation measures can significantly reduce <br /> the amount of phosphorus and sediment introduced into the lake ecosystem. That <br /> • reduction would slow eutrophication of Lake Erie and meet 'the requirements of an <br /> international treaty with Canada on lake nuality. <br /> Again, we must stress that conservation is an ongoing process'. You have to <br /> make inputs of time, money, and ,planning every year to make conservation work. <br /> Conservation research and the transfer of that knowledge have not received <br /> adequate funding to keep pace with developments in farming technology. We need • <br /> a commitment to conservation of our soil and water that is lacking in the <br /> proposed budget. <br /> • . <br /> , • . <br /> • <br /> B-2 - • • <br /> • <br /> • ' <br /> • <br />
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