DC Talking Points March 2008 Farm Bill Update On Wednesday, December 26, 2007, the President signed into law H.R. 2764, the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008).  The bill provides funding for NRCS programs and extends the 2002 Farm Bill until March 15, 2008.  Everyone is working hard to pass a new Farm Bill prior to the March 15 deadline. The Senate Agriculture Committee posted the Section-by-Section Comparison of the House Bill, Senate Amendment, and Current Law on their website at: http://agriculture.senate.gov/ and click on “2007 Farm Bill Conference.” Fiscal Year 2009 Budget The President’s fiscal year 2009 budget was released on Monday, February 4, 2008.  The NRCS budget proposes a reduction of over $130 million in discretionary funding, including elimination of funding for Watershed Surveys and Planning, Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations, and the Resource Conservation and Development Program.  Funding for many of the mandatory programs was not proposed pending passage of a new Farm Bill. 2008 NRCS Contribution Agreements NRCS has received 36 requests for Contribution Agreements, and is reviewing, evaluating and prioritizing the proposals.  USDA Computer Security Training For district employees utilizing a USDA Common Computing Environment (CCE), please remember that the annual Aglearn Computer Security Training must be completed by March 31.   Cooperative Working Agreements Updated Cooperative Working Agreements have been mailed to all SWCDs for review and signature.  The Indiana Conservation Partnership Leaders have all signed off on the updated agreements. Environmental Stewardship Award Nominations are being accepted for the 18th Annual Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). The award recognizes outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of U.S. cattle producers. ESAP was established in 1991 by NCBA and is made possible by the support of Dow AgroSciences, LLC, and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Nominations can be submitted by any organization, group, or individual on behalf of a U.S. cattle producer. The deadline for 2008 ESAP nomination packet is March 14, 2008. Go to www.beefusa.org/esap, or contact NCBA’s Washington, D.C., office to request a copy of the application at 202-347-0228.