1990 Farm Bill Forum 



Proceedings 



Clint Peck, moderator 



Editor 



Montana Farmer Stockman 



For just a bit of a background on myself, I've 

 been editor of the Montana Farmer StCKkman 

 magazine based in Billings for about 2 1 /2 

 years. Prior to that, I was county extension 

 agent in Judith Basin County. Before that, I did 

 various ranch work after graduating from 

 Montana State University in agricultural 

 production. 



In the time that I ser\ed as county extension 

 agent in Judith Basin County, 1 was able to see 

 first hand with a lot of the producers in the 

 area, the introduction of the 1985 Food Security 

 Act. 



Since 1985, we've all witnessed a dramatic 

 change in the farming landscape. This is not 

 only true in Montana, but in the farming land- 

 scape across the country. 1 think along with that 

 change we've also seen a dramatic change in the 

 consciousness of land and water resource 

 management across the country. I think that's 

 very significant and I think it's very probable 

 that this consciousness will be rejuvenated and 

 revived when the ink dries on the 1990 Farm 

 Bill. 



We still have a long way to go in addressing the 

 many land and water resource issues that face 

 agriculture, that face our environmental quality 

 in Montana and across the country. Several 

 things that come to mind are wind erosion, 

 noxious weeds, saline seep, ground and surface 

 water contamination, soil erosion, and riparian 

 degradation. I think these are some things we'll 

 be discussing today as the program goes along. 



As we look at the solutions to agricultural land 

 and water resource issues we should keep in 

 focus the rights and privileges of private land 

 ownership, and then balance those rights and 

 privileges with the need to maintain the viabil- 

 ity of our natural resources so that they can 

 continue to renew themselves and rejuvenate 

 themselves from season to season and year to 

 year. 



Karen Barclay 

 Director 



Montana Division of Natural 

 Resources and Conservation 



I want to welcome and thank you for taking 

 time out of your busy schedules to participate 

 in this Farm Bill Forum. 



Looking through the participants' list, it is 

 obvious that many groups with varied interests 

 are concerned and want to be involved with the 

 formation of farm bill legislation. It is important 

 that all groups in Montana attempt to work for 

 a common goal — a goal that will provide fair 

 legislation that will allow our agricultural 

 industry to operate profitably and at the same 

 time protect the environment. 



I believe this can be accomplished. We spend 

 too much time talking to ourselves, when 

 actually our wants and needs may not be that 

 far apart. We, at times, are too divided in our 

 efforts, and it is essential that meetings such as 

 this help pull groups together so we have a 

 more united front. 



We only have four congressional members and 

 they have to have cooperation on the future 

 direction of farm legislation. I realize that the 

 main intent of this forum isn't to unite groups 

 but rather to allow groups to sp>eak on their 

 concerns and desires with the 1990 Farm Bill. 



I applaud the Society's efforts to include all 

 interested parties — not only for the congres- 

 sional delegates' and legislators' information, 

 but also so the individual groups will have a 

 working knowledge of what others are think- 

 ing, saying and are interested in. 



We, at the state level, are very interested in 

 your views and concerns as well. If there is any 

 way we can provide assistance or work with 

 you on issues you are interested in, please do 

 not hesitate to let us know. 



Montani Cbiptsr, Soil and Witir Conitrvitlon Society 



August 28, 1888 



