Farm Bill Advocacy Toolkit
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About This Toolkit
The Farm Bill Toolkit is your one-stop shop for Alliance resources and tools to advocate for sound Farm Bill policies that help you support farmers, ranchers and other working landowners in conserving the farmlands, ranchlands, forestlands and wetlands that are critical to providing a healthy future for all people.
The toolkit includes information on Farm Bill programs, our Farm Bill recommendations, congressional contact information, plus resources and sample materials to help you take action today. You’ll also find information on our Farm Bill Working Group, comprised of land trust staff and leaders who provide on-the-ground insights on program implementation and support the Alliance in developing strong Farm Bill policy recommendations.
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Disclaimer
These resources are provided "as is" for informational purposes only, without warranty of any kind. They do not constitute legal or professional advice and do not create an attorney-client relationship. They may not reflect current legal developments and should be adapted for your organization with qualified professional help. The Alliance is not liable for any damages arising from use of or reliance on these resources. Views in individual posts and third-party links/logos are not Alliance endorsements. The Alliance is committed to equal opportunity and does not condone unlawful discrimination.
For accreditation-related materials, please also consult the Land Trust Accreditation Commission website.
Farm Bill Conservation Programs
The Farm Bill authorizes several conservation programs that, taken in total, are the largest single federal source of funding for voluntary private land conservation in the United States. Farm Bill programs create significant opportunities for land trusts to help families protect high-priority farmlands, ranchlands, grasslands, wetlands and forests. The programs provide matching funds to conservation partners, so federal investments go further and are a vital resource for conserving America's farmland and ranchland.
Farm Bill conservation program toolkits
Regional Conservation Partnership Program Toolkit
Is your organization looking to utilize the Regional Conservation Partnership Program for easement acquisition? This toolkit includes an introduction to RCPP, step-by-step guidance on how to apply and information about receiving an award and how to navigate the agreement and acquisition process.
Every day, land trusts are helping farmers, ranchers and other working landowners protect and conserve their land. Telling your land trust stories is a powerful way to help elected officials and key stakeholders understand the importance of Farm Bill programs and how they support our work.
Have questions or additional key messages? Email policy@lta.org.
Through stakeholder meetings with our land trust members, who work hand in hand with landowners to conserve and restore working lands, the Land Trust Alliance has developed the following targeted recommendations to ensure critical conservation dollars fund good projects. Click each recommendation below to learn more.
The United States Congress is responsible for the development of laws that guide policy on many topics including the Farm Bill. Congress develops updated Farm Bill legislation approximately every five years. Below you will find information on the respective House of Representatives and Senate committees, including key leaders, plus links to the hearing schedules and advocacy tactics.
Ways you can advocate
Contact your congressional delegation
To support land trusts and the farmers, ranchers and landowners you serve, please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support the Farm Bill, and in particular, the Land Trust Alliance's current Farm Bill recommendations. Your voice is critical to the process, and your phone calls and emails are an easy and effective way to influence elected officials.
Find contact information for your members of CongressWrite a letter to the editor or op-ed
With the one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill set to expire in September and reauthorization discussions underway, the Alliance is leading the charge to ensure land trust community needs are top of mind for policymakers. You can help advance the new Farm Bill in Congress while you build — or strengthen — your land trust’s relationship with local media by writing a letter to (or op-ed for) your local newspaper. This document offers guidance to assist you in crafting such a piece.
Learn more here about how to write an effective letter to the editor or op-edInviting members of Congress to visit your land
When members of Congress return to their home states and districts, as they do during the annual August recess, they have the opportunity to meet with constituents and discuss their policy priorities. You can show your members of Congress firsthand why land conservation is good for their state and district by inviting them to visit conserved land trust properties, including those that have benefitted from Farm Bill conservation programs. These visits provide an excellent opportunity to highlight what’s at risk and to explain in person why Farm Bill reauthorization and our Farm Bill recommendations are so important.
Additional advocacy resources
Connect with your land conservation peers and experts to discuss Farm Bill programs.