1. THE CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM FUNDED AT $1.6 BILLION

The conservation and sustainable agriculture communities fought long and hard to ensure passage of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) during the last farm bill. After completion the same groups fought to keep this program alive and well funded. After months of diligence the work has paid off. Earlier this week U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the department will begin issuing payments of nearly $1.6 billion to eligible producers. This innovate program which rewards conservation improvements on working lands will be administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information and downloadable fact sheets and other information visit: www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/products.html

According to a recent survey by the U.S. Census Bureau and state game and fish departments Americans spent more than $108 billion on wildlife recreation activities in 2001. Of those surveyed 39 percent of all U.S. residents 16 years old and older participated in activities such as hunting, fishing and birdwatching. The Survey reports that more than 34 million Americans fished, 13 million hunted and 66 million spent time observing wildlife. The $108 billion expenditure accounted for 1.1% of the gross domestic product. Of the total amount spent, $28.1 billion was trip-related, $64.5 billion was spent on equipment and $15.8 billion was spent on other items. A comparison of estimates from the 1991, 1996 and 2001 Surveys reveals that millions of Americans continue to enjoy wildlife-related recreation. The U.S. Bureau of Census interviewed 80,000 households in the United States and the 2001 Survey is the tenth in a series that began in 1955.

3. HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE GETS LESSON IN INVASIVE SPECIES

The Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry Subcommittee of the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing this week to explore the problems associated with exotic invasive species. Representatives from groups as diverse as the Forest Service, Interior Department, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Nature Conservancy, the American Seed Trade Association and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, all found something they agree on exotic invasive species pose a grave threat to agriculture production, sport and commercial fisheries, human health, and natural areas. These diverse stakeholders recommended that Congress enact and fund measures to prevent the entry and spread of exotic invasive species, and to help agencies work together to quickly respond to new invasions. Written testimony from Wednesday's hearing is available at: http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/testimony.htm.For more information on invasive species, please visit http://www.defenders.org/habitat/invasive.html

4. WORKSHOP TO EXPLORE TOXICS AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

The University of Minnesota Medical School, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, and the Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility are hosting a full-day workshop on the impacts of toxic chemicals on the prenatal, childhood and adolescent development. The workshop will take place on October 12, 2002 in Minneapolis. A major theme of the meeting will be the effects of pesticides on child development, with emphasis on food residues, air and water exposure, and exposure in buildings. The workshop will also consider nitrates and volatile organic compounds, as well as PCBs, dioxin and mercury. Agenda and registration information is available at http://mclph.jawshotel.umn.edu/IHW/Agenda.html.

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