Forests in the Farm Bill
To combat the ever-increasing challenges the more than 10 million family forest owners face every day, the U.S. Department of Agriculture utilizes Farm Bill conservation programs to offer technical and management assistance to landowners to make environmental improvements on their lands, while helping to make ownership economically viable.
In the years since the 2008 Farm Bill was signed into law, federal conservation tools and assistance available from Farm Bill programs to forest owners have signfiicantly expanded. The 2008 Farm Bill made important changes to the USDA conservation programs, better enabling family forest owners to participate.
In particular, the Farm Bill provides forest owners with the outreach, education, and technical assistance they need to be better forest stewards. Forest owners are able to leverage their own time, energy and investment with conservation program dollars to ensure the long-term health and viability of our nation's forests.
Interested in knowing more about what Farm Bill programs may be available to you? Check out our tools and resources below.
TOOLS
- Learn More: About the USDA Farm Bill and What is in it for Woodland Owners?
- Forests in the Farm Bill: How are forests faring thus far? Check out our annual Progress Report.
ON-THE-GROUND
- NRCS expertise: Find out more information on Farm Bill conservation programs, and consult your local office to chat with a local NRCS forester.
ATFS and the 2012 Farm Bill
- Improve outreach, education, research, and technical assistance to family forest owners.
- Strengthen conservation tools for family forest owners through Farm Bill conservation programs.
- Open market opportunities for traditional forest products, renewable energy, and ecosystem services.
- Strengthen USDA efforts to combat invasive species.
- Create new tools for education the next generation about forests and the environment.
Photo by Rob Amberg
