Bush backs expanded conservation program

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

Le SUEUR -- Much of the world stood still in and around here Wednesday as President Bush rode a high-tech helicopter to the Shirley and Mark Katzenmeyer family farm to talk about the Conservation Reserve Program.

Police and fire departments blocked Intersections and driveways during the visit. Air travel was halted and Minnesota Highway Department snow plow trucks blocked U.S. Highway 169 and secondary roads as Bush and his entourage traveled to a rally at a Kasota limestone quarry.

Back on the farm, hay bales surrounded Bush's podium underneath bright spotlights in the warm sunshine. Most of the media, nearby farmers and dignitaries waited more than an hour for Bush's arrival on the Katzenmeyer farm.

First, a small helicopter appeared and circled the area several times. Later two, larger U.S. Marine Corps helicopters circled the area before two helicopters circled and landed in a nearby grassy field.

"It's good to be on a farm," Bush said. "Farmers and ranchers embody our best values, feed and clothe us and provide energy."

Every day is "earth day" on a farm, Bush said. American farmers can compete with anybody as long as the playing field is equal, he added.

Bush said the U.S. Department of Agriculture will soon issue a notice through the Farm Service Agency for CRP program improvements and directions for a fully-enrolled program.

The announcement will direct the USDA to fully-enroll CRP from 34.8 million acres to 39.2 million acres.

Other provisions include a bobwhite quail buffer, adjusting wetland restoration rule to include prairie and other wetlands as well as a budget to add 250,000 CRP acres. A new CRP general sign-up will add 800,000 acres.

The CRP general sign-up will be held Aug. 30 through Sept. 24, 2004.

The FSA will get help from Pheasants Forever during the new sign-up and on all new provisions. The FSA will work toward early re-enrollment options and contract extensions, creating a massive roll-out of lands benefiting wildlife and the environment.

"This announcement is a grand slam for wildlife and conservationists," said Pheasants Forever CEO Howard Vincent. "CRP is the nation's most successful program and the president's announcement today will ensure that the wildlife legacy will continue into the future. This is a huge victory for wildlife, the environment, and hunter-conservationists."

CRP offers annual payments for 10-15 year contracts to participants who establish grass, shrub and/or tree cover on environmentally sensitive lands.

Bush praised the Katzenmeyers, whose 300-acre century farm includes 20.3 acres of warm-season, native prairie grass. It also provides food plots for wildlife like turkey, deer and pheasants during the winter.

Le Sueur County Commissioner Joe Doherty, who attended Bush's farm visit, said he didn't know how much it would cost the county but said the sheriff is keeping track.

Doherty mentioned that the City of Duluth is trying to recover more than $11,400 in costs it incurred during Bush's campaign visit by sending a bill to his re-election campaign headquarters.

"We'll probably never collect it," Doherty said. "But, it's quite a perk to have him visit. It's something we should all be happy to have."

Adam Loewe, his father Bob and uncle Harley raise Black Angus cattle near the Katzenmeyer farm. They asked Bush when their beef could be sold in Japan and South Korea again. Borders were closed late last year due to a 100 percent scientific BSE testing requirement.

The men complained that only the big corporate firms are importing beef to the Orient, although Mexican markets are now open to them.

"It hit our billfolds," Bob Loewe said. "He (Bush) said it was political. He should understand this. What do they have in Texas (Bush's home) besides oil and cattle? We can't get those markets open fast enough."

The men plan on bringing up the same issue to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman this morning at Farmfest at Gilfillan Estate. Veneman is expected to make a public address at 11:30 a.m. in the Forum Tent.

(Fritz Busch can be reached at fbusch@nujournal.com)