Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 by a vote of 33-21.

While the markup following the release highlighted sharp partisan divisions, NACD appreciates the House Committee on Agriculture taking this critical first step in advancing a farm bill that bolsters locally led conservation. We encourage committee leaders and Congress to move forward in a bipartisan and bicameral manner to pass a final bill.

Read more about farm bill progress, NACD priorities, and the importance of passing a farm bill in this NACD press release.

NCF PUBLISHES

2023 ANNUAL REPORT

NCF's 2023 Annual Report has arrived! This past year, the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) has continued to work with conservation districts, NACD, conservation partners, schools, and more to further conservation education across the country.

In this edition of the Annual Report you'll find updates on:

• NCF-Envirothon and the 34th Annual Competition
• 2023 and 2024 NGLI Cohorts
• NCF FY2023 financials
• and more!

Don't miss out on the amazing stories coming from students across the country competing in the annual NCF-Envirothon competition, Envirothon alumni spotlights, grant success stories, the work of NGLI cohort leaders, and more in this year's Annual Report!

NCF is thankful for the continued support and collaboration in 2023 and is excited to work with partners across the country in 2024 to develop the conservation leaders of tomorrow!

NACD MEMBERSHIP UPDATES AT CONSERVATION COFFEE

The next NACD Conservation Coffee is just around the corner! Join NACD leadership, including our President Kim LaFleur, CEO Jeremy Peters, and staff for a mid-year membership update on June 13, 2024, at 3 p.m. ET.

Learn about the latest NACD and partner activities, current advocacy efforts, and reminders of how to take advantage of your NACD benefits. This is a great opportunity for existing district board and staff members to learn more about the organization, but also a chance for individuals new to the organization to learn more about how NACD serves our membership.

Registration is free and available online. Feel free to reach out to Dr. Ariel Rivers at any time with any questions about your membership or to present on a future Conservation Coffee! All past sessions are recorded and available on NACD’s YouTube, along with multiple other learning resources!

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON:

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

On Thursday, the House Agriculture Committee passed their farm bill by a vote of 33-21. Four democrats joined the republican majority in supporting the bill. NACD released this statement in response. To be passed into law, a final farm bill must be approved by the full House of Representatives, pass the Senate by a 60-vote threshold, and be signed by the President. Following release of the House bill, NACD sent this letter to the House Agriculture Committee recognizing the inclusion of many of our priorities and urging bipartisanship to pass a final bill as soon as possible. The full House of Representatives is not expected to consider the committee-passed bill until September.

In response to the Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow publishing a farm bill framework, Ranking Member Boozman is expected to release his own framework in the coming weeks. NACD staff will share additional details on the House bill and other farm bill developments. 

BLM RULE CHANGE AND CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is an agency within the Department of the Interior responsible for overseeing 245 million acres of public lands, which include forests, rangelands, deserts and other ecosystems across the country. BLM lands are used for a variety of purposes, from recreation and timber harvest to resource extraction and grazing. Many conservation districts regularly work with local and regional BLM officers to provide insights into these uses and the lands to develop and implement conservation projects in and around BLM managed lands.  

On May 10, 2024, the BLM published a final Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, commonly referred to as the “Public Lands Rule.” BLM’s multiple use mandate governs the way the BLM manages public lands in the United States. Whether or not we directly use public lands, their management impacts the health of our country’s working lands and efficient production of cattle, timber, and other critical resources. In the new rule, BLM incorporates conservation as an eligible land use under the multiple use framework– a significant shift in the management of our public lands.  

Read more about what this change means for conservation districts in this NACD blog post.