Today, it is estimated that there are more than 7 billion people on our planet and 925 million of them are malnourished. Projections indicate that we’ll have 3 billion more people in the next 50 years. And while our population continues to grow, our farmland continues to decline each year here in Indiana and across the country. We are also facing a changing environment where threats to our air, water, soil and wildlife are real, yet obtaining healthy and plentiful food is on the forefront of everyone’s mind. Because 90 percent of the land in Indiana is privately owned, the fate of our natural resources is not going to be decided on public lands, but by farmers and forestland owners making conservation decisions every day. One of the best conservation decisions they can make is to embrace a soil health management system. Good soil health management builds a resiliency in the soil that can withstand the environmental threats we are facing. But even better, farmers are seeing increases in production and ultimately to their bottom line. So when should we begin talking about the importance of soil health and other natural resource issues? Education is the foundation for progress and it’s critical we start educating our youth about soil health and managing our other natural resource issues early. Environmental education compliments every aspect of a balanced curriculum and encourages success in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs. By starting early, young people learn how to explore environmental issues and engage in problem solving. As a result, they develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues, connect classroom learning to tangible local issues and have the skills to make informed and responsible decisions. As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22, now is the perfect time to start talking to your children or your students. Teachers, consider starting an environmental curriculum in your classroom. If you already have one, consider expanding it and discussing the importance of soil health and other natural resource concerns facing your community. This Earth Day, I’d like to give a heartfelt thank you to our Indiana educators, farmers, backyard gardeners and conservationists who are doing their part to protect our soil and who are taking the time to educate our future generations about our natural resources. Educating our youth is key to future conservation. If you would like to learn more about improving the health of your soil stop by the NRCS office nearest you to talk to a district conservationist or go online to www.in.nrcs.usda.gov Jane Hardisty State Conservationist, Indiana Rural, farm groups against privatized aviation system Dear Chairman Shuster, Ranking Member DeFazio, Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson: As you debate reauthorization of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the coming months, I write to ask for your support of a long-term FAA authorization that maintains Congressional oversight of the nation’s air traffic control system. We are specifically concerned that a recent proposal in Congress to remove oversight of the nation’s air traffic control system, and put this vital infrastructure under the control of a private entity dominated by the commercial airlines, threatens the vital infrastructure that we count on every day. Rural communities, agriculture and small businesses stand to lose the most under a privatized system where there would be no Congressional oversight to ensure that all stakeholders and communities have access to air transportation. For example, there are more than 5,000 airports across the United States, more than 3,300 of which are public-use airports. Yet, there is only commercial service at 509 airports, and airline capacity is dwindling – by about 20 percent in recent years in particular. That means that for the majority of our communities around the country, small airports and general aviation are a literal lifeline to local communities, industries and businesses. These airport and businesses support local economies and agriculture, connect businesses with far-off plants and customers, and facilitate access to many services, including medical care, disaster relief, organ and blood transport, law enforcement, search-and-rescue and fire-fighting. They help our businesses stay connected, repair power lines, help farms to survey and protect their crops and allow companies to reach plants in remote areas of the country, among many other uses. In fact, each year, the agricultural aviation industry treats 71 million acres of cropland, out of the 408 million acres of cropland in the United States. Yet, under a privatized system, a private board dominated by the largest commercial operators would undoubtedly direct resources and investments to the largest hub airports and urban areas where these investments would be most likely to benefit their bottom line. They could also shape and influence the system in many other ways to their benefit, including by leveraging many new fees and taxes, reducing access to airports for lower cost competitors and impeding access to particular airports. It is also unclear how important programs such as the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) would fare, which provide long-term funding in the form of federal grants to both large and small airports around the country, which are a lifeline to local communities and economies. Agriculture, small businesses and rural communities are the backbone of our nation, and we need to protect our public infrastructure which ensures access to air transportation for communities of all sizes. Please say no to a privatized air traffic control system. Sincerely, Agriculture Retailers Assoc. Alliance for Aviation Across America Crop Life America League of Rural Voters National Agricultural Aviation Assoc. National Council of Agricultural Employers National Farmers Union National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry National Women in Agriculture Assoc. USA Rice Federation |
