Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by PF & QF's Vice President of Government Affairs Ariel Wiegard and Director of Government Affairs Andrew Schmidt to attempt answering the difficult question, "Will there be a new Farm Bill in 2025?" The trio also discuss the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and what the absence of a new Farm Bill means for the crown jewel of voluntary conservation programs.
Episode Highlights:
- Wiegard provides a recap of recent efforts in Congress to sell public land as part of the budget reconciliation process, and how PF & QF supporters and the broad outdoors community successfully helped push back on that effort earlier this summer.
- Schmidt provides an overview of the conservation victories within the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," including an increase of funding for Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP), as well as the integration of remaining IRA funding into the Farm Bill conservation baseline.
- Schmidt also details the new "CRP Improvement and Flexibility Act" introduced by U.S. Senators John Thune (R-SD), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Tina Smith (D-MN). This proposed legislation includes many of PF & QF priorities for improving CRP, making the program more attractive to landowners and beneficial for wildlife.
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