Earlier this year Congress passed a new Farm Bill. The conservation programs within the Farm Bill are our nation’s largest source of funding for private lands conservation and will provide $28 billion for such activities through 2018. But with each new Farm Bill, conservation programs change, new producers are eligible, and a new cohort of conservationists helps implement these critical programs.

A new Field Guide to the Farm Bill is being developed as a useful tool for state fish and wildlife agencies, nongovernmental conservation organizations, joint ventures, and other conservation partners on how Farm Bill programs can be deployed to strategically conserve fish and wildlife habitat. The Guide will greatly aid those that work with private landowners to conserve soil, water, fish, and wildlife resources through Farm Bill conservation programs.

Currently an advisory team is developing a strategy to inform this new version of the Field Guide to achieve efficiencies and effectiveness in conservation. The team includes representatives from the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Idaho Fish and Game, Intermountain West Joint Venture, Partners for Conservation, Pheasants Forever, Point Blue Conservation Science, Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, The Nature Conservancy, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.