NWTF Celebrates Passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act in the U.S. House

The bill, also referred to as the Farm Bill 2.0, includes increased funding and an extension of two cornerstone conservation programs: the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). These programs play a critical role in improving wildlife habitat, enhancing water quality and promoting soil health on agricultural and forested lands. The legislation also establishes a new Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP), providing additional tools to conserve working forestlands while safeguarding the habitat they support for wild turkeys and countless other wildlife species.

In addition, the bill advances research initiatives aimed at improving forest health, aligning with NWTF’s commitment to forest restoration, resilience and innovative land management. It further encourages expanded public-private partnerships, nonprofit engagement and collaborative conservation efforts across all land-ownership types.

While NWTF strongly supports the overall bill, the organization expressed disappointment that an amendment narrowly failed that would have created new markets for limbs and other wood-fiber waste generated through National Forest restoration and hazardous fuels reduction projects. The amendment would have enabled these low- to zero-value materials to be used in renewable fuel production, including sustainable aviation fuel and biodiesel.

“Returning the farm bill to a five-year cycle provides much-needed certainty for America’s farmers and forest owners and ensures that critical water, soil and wildlife conservation programs continue without interruption,” said Matt Lindler, NWTF director of government affairs. “We applaud House Agriculture Committee Chairman Thompson, committee members and their professional staff for recognizing the importance of this legislation and for their continued persistence in passing a farm bill after the 2018 bill officially expired in 2023. We urge the Senate to move swiftly to bring it across the finish line this year.”

The investments included in the House-passed farm bill directly support NWTF’s conservation mission by helping private landowners and producers manage their lands in ways that strengthen wildlife habitat and rural economies. NWTF will continue working with lawmakers and partners to advance policies that expand conservation opportunities, support responsible stewardship and ensure America’s forests and farmlands remain productive, resilient and wildlife-friendly for generations to come.

About the National Wild Turkey Federation 

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to deliver healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues to unite a nation through the life-changing power of the outdoors.