Forests in the Farm Bill Coalition Asks Congress for Improvements in the Next Farm Bill

July 24, 2017 

As Congress begins writing the next iteration of the Farm Bill, the Forests in the Farm Bill (FIFB) Coalition, including SAF and more than 90 forest organizations, released a set of forest-related recommendations that would improve the bill’s ability to support private and family-owned forests and the benefits they provide. 

"SAF is proud to once again collaborate with our broad and diverse range of partners on important improvements to the next Farm Bill," said Frederick Cubbage, President of the Society of American Foresters. "Stewardship of our nation's private forestlands is one of the most essential yet challenging tasks facing our profession and society at large. SAF’s forest professionals across the country look forward to working with Congress to continue to build awareness and appreciation for the integral role forests play in driving our economy, improving air and water quality, enhancing wildlife habitat, and increasing quality of life." 

The FIFB Coalition asks Congress to address, with both policy improvements and funding, six key priorities in the next Farm Bill:

• Grow jobs and rural economies through forestry;
• Conserve and enhance habitat for forest-dependent wildlife;
• Keep forests as forests;
• Address fire and forest health;
• Improve and streamline forest and conservation programs; and
• Support forest research, education, and information needs

The FIFB Coalition, which has been in existence for more than 15 years, includes 92 forest groups representing all aspects of the forest sector, including forest owners, conservationists, hunters, anglers, forest industry and natural resources professionals. SAF joined the FIFB Coalition in 2002. It is co-chaired by the American Forest Foundation, National Association of State Foresters, National Wild Turkey Federation, and The Nature Conservancy.

For more information and to download the full set of recommendations, click here.