Natural Resource News in South Carolina
USDA-NRCS, 1835 Assembly Street, Room 950, Columbia, SC 29201
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy O. Maxwell
amy.maxwell@sc.usda.gov
(803) 765-5402
USDA Official Visits Columbia to Discuss 2007 Farm Bill
COLUMBIA, February 2, 2007-USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief
Arlen Lancaster visited Columbia, South Carolina, on February 1, 2007, to discuss Agriculture
Secretary Mike Johanns' report back to the people on the Bush Administration's farm bill
proposal. The more than 65 proposals correspond to the 2002 farm bill titles with additional
special focus areas, including specialty crops, beginning farmers and ranchers, and socially
disadvantaged producers. The proposals are available at www.usda.gov/farmbill.
USDA began preparations for the 2007 farm bill in 2005 by conducting 52 Farm Bill Forums
across the country. More than 4,000 comments were recorded or collected during forums and
via mail. Chief Lancaster discussed the proposals, including why change is needed, the
recommended solutions, and background information about the impacted program or policy.
NRCS State Conservationist Walt Douglas said, “We are pleased that Chief Lancaster chose
to visit South Carolina and speak personally to the conservationists and producers in our
state. I think that really says a lot about the impact that South Carolina has on the future of
conservation, and it also means that our conservation leaders in Washington are willing to
hear our comments and suggestions.”
State and federal agency leaders, as well as farmers and conservationists attended the event.
Chief Lancaster explained that the 2007 farm bill proposals would spend approximately $10
billion less than the 2002 farm bill spent over the past five years, upholding the President’s
plan to eliminate the deficit in five years.
NRCS provides products and services that enable people to be good stewards of the
nation's soil, water, and related