VENEMAN THANKS USDA EMPLOYEES ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF FARM BILL SIGNING

USDA Completes Work on EQIP, Farm and Ranch Lands Protection, Grassland Reserve and Forest Land Enhancement Rules

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2003---Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman marked the one year anniversary of the signing of the 2002 Farm Bill by thanking USDA employees nationwide for their hard work and dedication.

"USDA employees have worked tirelessly to implement the new provisions and to expedite providing benefits to producers and other program participants," said Veneman. "On behalf of the President, thank you for your dedication, persistence and professionalism throughout this process."

In a letter to all USDA employees, Veneman said that much as been accomplished since President Bush signed the bill into law May 13, 2002. Highlights include:

* Implemented all key commodity program provisions quickly and efficiently; provided more than $8 billion in program payments for agricultural producers;

* Released more than $1.8 billion for conservation assistance on working lands, including funding for Farm Bill and appropriated programs; implemented revisions to the Conservation Reserve Program with general sign-up in process between May 5 and May 30, 2003;

* Provided an additional $10 million for the Market Access Program and other additional funds for market-development activities;

* Implemented the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program, announcing $2 million in funding;

* Launched the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program; implemented a successful and popular pilot program to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in schools; provided access to Food Stamp Program benefits for newly qualified legal immigrants;

* Awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in Rural Development assistance, including value-added grants, and water and waste disposal funds; published final regulations and solicitation of applications for an anticipated $1.4 billion in rural broadband loans and loan guarantees;

* Implemented the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Program and announced the availability of $23 million in grants; implemented the Biomass Research and Development Program and announced the availability of $21 million in grants.

* Held 11 sessions across the country and in Puerto Rico to reach out to the full spectrum of USDA customers; and Vernon Parker became the first USDA Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

"These achievements are remarkable," said Veneman. "However, there is much work yet left to be done."

For example, Veneman said that USDA employees will now begin to implement several important provisions in the Conservation Title.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program
EQIP, one of the most comprehensive programs in the 2002 Farm Bill, is a voluntary conservation program that promotes environmental quality and assists producers to meet local, state and federal regulations. EQIP funds help farmers and ranchers reduce soil erosion, improve water use efficiencies and protect grazing land by installing conservation practices that protect natural resources.

The EQIP Final Rule, which will be published soon in the Federal Register, makes the program even more farmer-friendly by simplifying procedures and greatly enhancing the locally led aspects of the program. Also, program eligibility is expanded, making more farmers and ranchers eligible for participation. In addition, the rule focuses the EQIP program on priority conservation issues, such as clean water and clean air.

The EQIP final rule revises the program to optimize environmental benefits and clarifies definitions and terms, especially definitions for individuals, persons and eligibility issues. With the final rule, farmers and ranchers now have access to financial and technical assistance to carry out EQIP measures.

Agricultural producers interested in participating in EQIP can apply at any time at their local NRCS office or USDA service center. NRCS will evaluate each application and give higher priority to those applications that use cost-effective conservation practices; treat multiple resource concerns; address national, state or local priorities; and provide the most environmental benefits.

Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program
Veneman also announced that $72 million in fiscal year 2003 funds are available to protect valuable agricultural land through the purchase of conservation easements under the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP), formerly called the Farmland Protection Program. FRPP is a voluntary program that helps eligible farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. Participating landowners agree not to convert their land to nonagricultural uses and to develop and implement a conservation plan for any highly erodible land. Landowners retain the right to use the property for agriculture.

The FRPP Final Rule, which will appear soon in the Federal Register, makes historic changes in program eligibility by welcoming participation of non-governmental organizations to compete for funding. Previous to this change, only applications from government sources could be considered. The change in the Final Rule makes the FRPP available nationwide.

Grassland Reserve Program
Veneman also announced that $49.9 million in fiscal year 2003 funding is available to implement the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) in selected areas. The deployment of the Grassland Reserve represents an historic beginning of America's conservation and protection of valuable grasslands. For the first time, USDA will focus funding resources and expertise on restoring, enhancing and protecting grasslands. The program will conserve vulnerable grasslands from conversion to cropland or development as well as conserve valuable grasslands by helping to maintain viable ranching operations.

Funds are being made available in a "Notice of Availability of Program Funds for the Grassland Reserve Program" scheduled for publication in the Federal Register in the next few days. All funds will be allocated to states by mid-July. A first sign-up for the new program will begin on June 16, 2003, in four target areas:
* The Klamath River Basin in Oregon and California;
* The watersheds of the Rio Grande River in New Mexico and Texas;
* Drought affected areas in Colorado, eastern, Idaho, Montana, northern Utah and Wyoming; and
* The lesser prairie-chicken habitat area in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

In the areas targeted for the first sign-up, GRP will help keep acreage in grassland, enhance water quality, increase wildlife habitat for threatened and endangered and declining species, and help conserve native rangeland. Applications for participation will be accepted on a continuous basis at local USDA service centers.

Forest Land Enhancement Program
The 2002 Farm Bill also established the Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) to provide incentives to private landowners to become better managers and improve the health and productivity of their lands. The program is funded at $100 million over the life of the Farm Bill. The FLEP rule will be published in the Federal Register soon.

More than 300 million acres, or almost half of all forest in the nation, belong to nearly 10 million private owners. A majority of these landowners do not have the know-how and resources to manage their lands for long-term sustainability. Under FLEP, non-industrial private forest owners can receive technical, educational and financial assistance to help make their forests viable economic resources in their communities and provide for healthy watersheds, productive wetlands, diverse wildlife, clean air and opportunities for recreation.

Additional information on EQIP, FRPP, GRP and FLEP can be found at www.usda.gov/farmbill .

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