Highlights
Why it matters: As Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, Mr. Bonnie now leads the efforts of USDA’s Farm Services Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Risk Management Agency, three agencies critical to the success of some of our nation’s most important private lands conservation programs. Given Mr. Bonnie’s dedication to effective, bipartisan conservation solutions, CSF applauds this confirmation and looks forward to working with Mr. Bonnie in his new position.
On Tuesday, November 16, the Senate confirmed Robert Bonnie, President Biden’s nominee for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) by a vote of 76-19. This strong bipartisan support reflects Mr. Bonnie’s dedication to effective, bipartisan conservation solutions.
Earlier this year, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) joined 31 other sporting conservation organizations in submitting a letter to members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, voicing strong support for Mr. Bonnie’s nomination. This ongoing support highlighted Mr. Bonnie’s experience as USDA’s Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment in the Obama Administration.
“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation is thrilled to see Robert Bonnie confirmed as FPAC Undersecretary, a role that he is remarkably qualified for,” said CSF President and CEO Jeff Crane. “Robert’s impressive professional history, paired with his personal passion for the outdoors, uniquely positions him to deliver meaningful, on-the-ground collaborative conservation projects to benefit America’s fish, wildlife, and sportsmen and women.”
Prior to assuming his position as FPAC Undersecretary, Mr. Bonnie served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Senior Advisor for Climate in the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Following this confirmation, Mr. Bonnie is now in charge of the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Risk Management Agency (RMA), the primary agencies charged with the implementation of critical conservation programs like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and others. Given the importance of these conservation programs to sportsmen and women, CSF looks forward to working with Mr. Bonnie in this role, and we once again thank members of the Senate for his swift, bipartisan confirmation.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
