Environmental Defense Fund Praises Appointment of Dave White by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Katharine Burnham, (202) 415-5742, kburnham@edf.org

(Washington, DC-March 25, 2009) Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s new choice to spearhead conservation efforts at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) comes at the perfect time for land conservation programs, according to Environmental Defense Fund.

“In his years with NRCS, Dave White has demonstrated that he knows how to work with farmers and ranchers to apply farm bill conservation programs on the ground in a way that achieves important conservation objectives,” said Sara Hopper, agricultural policy director for Environmental Defense Fund. “As NRCS begins to implement new conservation initiatives included in the 2008 farm bill, his extensive experience and his creative approach will be critical to ensuring these initiatives are successful in producing positive results for the environment.”

The 2008 farm bill authorized a new Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) to leverage conservation program dollars with other resources to support cooperative projects that help agricultural producers effectively address local, state, or regional conservation priorities. Environmental Defense Fund championed the creation of the CCPI and is thrilled to be able to work with Mr. White on the implementation of this and other improvements the farm bill made to conservation programs administered by NRCS.

“There is much work to be done in order to ensure we get the most out of the conservation provisions of the 2008 farm bill,” continued Hopper. “Dave White has the skills and approach needed to make sure conservation programs are applied effectively across the country, and we look forward to working with him.”