KFB/AFBF/Moran/Marshall/Kelly
President Biden’s goal to conserve at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030, commonly referred to as “30×30,” is raising questions. In a letter from American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall to President Biden, three key requests are outlined:
1. that the administration provide clarity on the initiative;
2. that the effort recognizes voluntary conservation efforts already underway; and
3. that the administration seeks input from farmers and ranchers.
“This ‘30×30’ goal has received a great deal of attention in farming and ranching communities across the country,” wrote Duvall. “America’s agriculturalists are asking whether their good work will be recognized by the administration. They have voluntarily enrolled more than 140 million acres of private land into federal and non-federal conservation programs – a land mass larger than the size of New York and California combined. Any discussion about conservation must begin with the recognition that farmers and ranchers are leaders in this space and have been for decades.”
Sen. Jerry Moran sent a letter to U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in opposition to any plan that imposes on private property rights.
“Over 98 percent of the land in Kansas is privately owned,” Moran wrote. “Kansans are rightfully alarmed about possible implications for private property owners of any federal mandate to set aside vast swaths of land in response to this executive order. In addition to being troubled about diminishing private property rights, I am concerned taking farm and ranch land out of production will damage local and regional economies across Kansas.”
Sen. Roger Marshall sent his letter to President Biden, saying, “Farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists and generational farming is on the forefront of every producer’s mind. I ask that you respect and acknowledge the private property rights of individuals so they may continue to have authority over what occurs on their property and have the freedom to produce an abundance of food, fuel and fiber for the world.”
Gov. Laura Kelly also penned a letter to both Haaland and Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
“Kansas landowners, farmers and ranchers have a large stake in the recommendations of this report and any federal or state initiatives impacting privately owned working lands,” Kelly wrote. “According to the 2017 Ag Census, Kansas has over 29 million acres of cropland, ranking second among states.”
Kansas Farm Bureau’s advocacy team continues to monitor the climate change Executive Order.
