A conservation community worthy of the name

Excerpt

THE past year brought change of historic proportions to the federal government. Only now are we becoming aware of the extent of this change and the adjustments that will be needed in the coming years. For the conservation community there is great challenge and opportunity in this change. But to take advantage of this opportunity, the conservation community must carefully reevaluate itself, its directions, and its programs in light of current economic and budgetary conditions.

Pressures are clearly building in rural America, few of which are likely to enhance conservation. Farmers are strapped economically after another disappointing season. The administration's commitment to defense spending, tax cuts, and supply-side economics jointly assures unprecedented budget deficits that will preclude all but essential expenditures in other program areas. Farmers should expect only minimal government assistance or intervention in the market over the next three years. Of course, the administration also has not failed to notice the salutary economic effects of a collapsing and debilitated farm economy on consumer food prices, hence, the president's pledge to control inflation.

Prospects for economic recovery within the agricultural sector seem to rest solely on the vigor of the export market. Yet our …