Originally established in 1985, the Farm Bill is among the most impactful private land conservation legislation ever implemented in the United States. However, getting it reauthorized in the halls of Congress is a challenge.

The U.S. House passed its version of the new Farm Bill in April 2026. Now, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry just introduced its draft. Key to both bills are some acronyms of importance to farmers, ranchers, foresters, rural communities, wildlife and hunters. 

FCEP, or the Forest Conservation Easement Program, is new and aims to keep working forests intact and promote the restoration and improvement of habitat for fish and wildlife species. It has the support of a broad coalition of hunting, forestry and other interests. CRP, or the Conservation Reserve Program, dates back more than four decades. Described as a “farm safety net” by some, it encourages and supports farmers and ranchers to convert highly erodible and other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, like native grasses, trees and riparian buffers. Doing so helps a wide array of fish and wildlife species.

Below is a statement sent to members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry on behalf of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation by Ryan Bronson, RMEF director of government affairs.

“The Farm Bill is the most important mechanism for delivering private, working land conservation in America. The robust conservation title proposed by Senator Boozman is critical to maintain voluntary, incentive-based land stewardship that helps to sustain rural communities. Farmers, ranchers, sportsmen and society benefit from private lands that provide wildlife habitat and clean water.

“The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation also strongly supports the establishment of a Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) in the Farm Bill. Building off the established model for agriculture conservation easements, FCEP can be a powerful tool for keeping America’s working private forest intact and providing habitat, economic and ecological benefits. Together with other reforms aimed at federal forests, including the Cottonwood Fix and categorical exclusions expansion, this legislation contains many of RMEF’s top priorities, and we encourage the Senate to pass this bill as soon as possible,” said Bronson.

Click here to read the text of the Senate’s version.

Hunt 2 Conserve urges the Senate and House to cooperatively meld and pass their versions for the benefit of wildlife and conservation.

About Hunt 2 Conserve

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org.

(Photo credit: Chip Carroon)