Calls to Action

Photo: Erika Peterman

1. The Farm Bill

Send an email to House Ag Committee Leadership

The House and the Senate have both passed their version of the 2018 Farm Bill. A conference committee is working to resolve differences between the two bills to reach a combined, final bill. As the committee works on this important resolution, it is critical that your Congress members know that investments in conservation and sustainable agriculture are important to family farms and ranches.

Let the Conference Committee know that you want a farm bill that authorizes strong and workable working lands programs by:

• Maintaining funding for conservation title programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
• Protecting the nations largest resource conservation program on working lands, the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
• Maintaining provisions that make working lands programs more responsive to the needs of western landowners, such as improvements to the CSP.
• Providing opportunities for landowners to support at-risk species through the farm bill

Congress needs to hear about the importance of this program from landowners and managers. If you are inclined to do so, a quick e-mail to your congressmen would suffice.

• Find your Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
• Find your Senator: https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Read our July 2018 Farm Bill Update, with charts showing federal payments to EQIP and CSP in western states for fiscal years 2015-2017.

2. “Product of the USA” Labelling

Submit your comments on the petition

Petition for Change to the USDA-FSIS Standards and Labeling Policy Book on “Product of the USA”” The American Grassfed Association (AGA) and the Organization for Competitive Markets petitioned the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) for a policy change to the FSIS’ Standards and Labelling Policy Book “Product of USA” entry. Currently, meat products may be labeled as a “Product of the USA” if the product is “processed in the US.”

• Agency: USDA-FSIS
• Link: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FSIS-2018-0024
• Comments on the petition due by September 17, 2018

Send questions on this or other WLA policy updates to: Jessica@westernlandowners.org.

Western Landowners Alliance is a landowner-led network dedicated to the health and prosperity of working lands in the American West. Not yet a member? Join us!