Now is the crucial time to send the message loud and clear: We want a full 
and quickly implemented Conservation Security Program! CSP holds great 
promise for rewarding farmers based on how they are protecting and improving 
the environment. 

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has asked for general input on the 
program, in the form of an Advanced Notice of Rulemaking. The letter below is 
a sample -- please add one or two points of your own, expand on a particular 
point, or add a personal story or comment. Email, as well as snail mail 
comments are welcomed: [log in to unmask] Comments are due MARCH 20.

The Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (SAC) has prepared a full set of 
comments on the Advanced Notice. All groups and individuals are asked to 
endorse those comments as well.  (SAC comments will be sent in another 
email.)

For more information on this program, visit www.mnproject.org or <A HREF="www.landstewardshipproject.org.)">
www.landstewardshipproject.org.</A> To read the Advanced Notice, to to <A HREF="www.nrcs.gov">
www.nrcs.usda.gov</A> and select "Farm Bill 2002."


THE SAMPLE LETTER:

RE: Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Conservation Security 
Program (CSP) published in the Federal Register on February 18, 2003 (Fed. 
Reg. Vol. 68, No 32, pages 7720-7722). 

Mark W. Berkland
Director, Conservation Operations Division
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
P.O. Box 2890
Washington, D.C. 20013-2890


Dear Mr. Berkland:

PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND SAY IF YOU ARE A FARMER, CONSUMER, ETC. AND 
MENTION ANY AGRICULTURAL GROUPS YOUR BELONG TO. IF YOU ARE SUBMITTING THE 
COMMENT ON BEHALF OF AN ORGANIZATION, PLEASE INCLUDE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
ABOUT THE GROUP.
  
The Conservation Security Program promises to be the most innovative and 
exciting program in the federal agricultural conservation toolbox and a 
critical new component of U.S. farm policy. I urge you to ensure that the 
program fulfills its promise.

Many of us have waited years for a program such as this, which rewards 
conservation farmers who have been doing what's right all along and 
encourages them to do more. Conservation farmers provide many benefits to all 
Americans in the form of clean air, clean water, habitat and soil protection, 
and more. This program rewards practices that solve critical resource 
problems. 

The Administration should make the Conservation Security Program a major 
priority. I (WE) respectfully request that you:

1.  Accelerate the rule making process and launch the CSP in time to allow 
for significant enrollment opportunities in Fiscal Year 2003. The statutory 
deadline for writing rules to implement the CSP has already passed.

2.  Ensure immediate implementation on a comprehensive, nationwide basis. The 
CSP is intended for all regions of the country and all types of agriculture. 

3.  Uphold and defend CSP's status as a conservation entitlement program, as 
the law requires. Once producers meet the strict requirements for approval of 
their conservation plan, they should be enrolled in a contract - no delays, 
selection processes, bidding systems, or waiting lists.

4.  Require strong conservation and environment standards, and reward strong 
environmental performance.

5.  Retain the real payment limitations required by the law. No loopholes or 
exceptions should be enacted via regulation, manual, or practice.  
Enforcement of the limitations should be strict.

6.  Support restoration of full funding. The recently signed omnibus 
appropriations bill caps the CSP at $3.77 billion through 2013. We urge you 
to give strong support to the bipartisan Senate leadership commitment to 
remove this cap in upcoming legislation and restore the program to its full 
uncapped 2002 Farm Bill funding.

I would like to associate myself (OR MY GROUP) with the detailed comments 
submitted in response to the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on behalf 
of the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. I concur with their answers to your 
questions and endorse their recommendations.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I look forward to watching the 
program as it develops. 

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME (AND ORGANIZATION, IF RELEVANT) HERE







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