Senator Harkin posted a guest blog entry on Gordon Fischer’s new blog IowaTrueBlue.com today to discuss the 2007 Farm Bill and the importance of the Conservation Security Program:

Why Conservation is Critical to the 2007 Farm Bill

Just before the Senate Recess, the House of Representatives passed the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 and while there are many positives aspects to it, the legislation does serious damage to conservation efforts by suspending additional sign ups for the Conservation Security Program (CSP) until 2012.

I wrote and passed the CSP as a part of the 2002 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act in order to help promote the transition toward a more sustainable system of farming that promotes both the environment and high levels of agricultural production. While the program has been underfunded at times, it has been very successful in promoting conversation techniques and practices to farmers across America because there is no enrollment cap and it is open to and rewards all farmers and ranchers who develop and execute plans to protect and improve the quality of environmental resources on their land.

This program is needed now more than ever because while our farmers are producing record amounts of crops to meet the growing demand for ethanol and other alternative fuels, we need to ensure that this production is sustainable and that the land stays healthy for future generations. It was because of this need that I worked with Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns to secure an additional $115 million in funding for CSP to fully honor the program’s commitments and to allow the program to sign-up new producers so that we can continue to produce at this high-rate while protecting the environment and maintaining healthy soil to meet future production demands.

Click here to read the rest of the entry from Senator Harkin on IowaTrueBlue.com