Bill Graves on Jobs Former Republican KS Governor

Create block grants for Agricultural Stewardship.

• The WGA would like to join the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) in proposing a new concept, one that NASDA has dubbed “A New Vision for Agricultural Stewardship.” The NASDA concept calls for the creation of a state block grant program, designed to allow states the flexibility to target resources to their specific conservation and environmental needs. Under the plan, the state departments of agriculture, in conjunction with state and local agriculture and conservation partners, develop priorities to be addressed under their block grant umbrella.
• The NASDA block grant proposal promotes broad flexibility in this development, noting that the block grant can be used to address threats to soil, air, water and wildlife; or be used to meet state or federal environmental regulations; or make “beneficial cost-effective changes to cropping systems, grazing management, manure, nutrient, pest, or irrigation management, land uses, or other measures needed to conserve and improve soil, water, and related natural resources.” The intent is to not duplicate existing programs, but to give states the ability to address areas of specific need. The funding could even be designated for use in existing state conservation or environmental programs, should a state find that’s where the most need rests.
• Under the Agricultural Stewardship Program, the states would enter into cooperative agreements with USDA on an annual basis and issue annual reports to USDA regarding the progress to date and future intentions.
• While Western Governors feel the program outlined above is extremely important, it must be defined broadly so that Governors may designate a lead state agency, and it must be weighed in conjunction with the need for improvements and adjustments to existing conservation and environmental programs.

State instead of federal rules for animal operations.

• WHEREAS, Midwestern governors have undertaken successful partnerships with the agricultural community in their respective states to promote sustainable agriculture, address water quality and public health impacts as the result of farming activities, and promote common-sense stewardship of farmland and natural resources; and
• WHEREAS, The members of the Midwestern Governors’ Conference support the guiding principles and goals of the Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) released by USDA and EPA, but are concerned that the Strategy is too prescriptive, permit oriented, and emphasizes process over environmental performance; now, therefore be it
• RESOLVED, That the Midwestern Governors’ Conference supports the implementation of a national AFO strategy which allows states to implement functionally equivalent alternative programs that result in meeting national environmental performance standards, and such alternative state programs should include nutrient management plans, technical and financial assistance, proactive inspections, complaint response and enforcement, and statewide water quality monitoring; and be it further
• RESOLVED, That State programs, including permit, non-permit, and voluntary compliance programs, must be allowed to operate in lieu of the federal Strategy, so long as these alternative State programs include the above elements and meet national environmental performance standards.

Immediate federal assistance for farm crisis.

Dear President Clinton:

On behalf of the farmers and ranchers of the states comprising the Midwestern Governors’ Conference, we ask for your assistance in addressing the current farm crisis. While the majority of the US economy is prospering, the agricultural sector is at a critical stage and needs your immediate attention. Our farmers and ranchers are paying operating expenses that have continued to rise, while they are receiving prices for commodities and livestock that have dropped, in some instances, to 50-year lows. To further compound the problem, drought conditions in some areas and flooding in others have devastated crops.

We are aware that many national farm organizations are putting forth various plans to provide both short-and long-term relief to our nation’s agricultural producers. While we believe long-term solutions are essential, the current situation demands a more immediate response. We, therefore, urge you to act quickly to provide federal financial assistance to farmers and ranchers including dedicated direct aid to those producers impacted by drought or other natural disasters. Immediate direct payments could allow some farmers and ranchers to continue in business this year.

In addition, changes to the current crop insurance program that will increase participation and expand coverage are needed in the short-term. The development of new risk management products is also necessary. Furthermore, export market development and regulatory relief are needed in 1999 to prevent further disruptions in our ability to produce an abundant, wholesome supply of food while competing in a global agricultural economy. Immediate action is needed to make it possible for US farmers and ranchers to compete fairly and to continue to feed people throughout the world.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and we look forward to working with you on these important issues.