Five Question Friday: Kim Price

Five Question Friday with Kim Price. Price sits on QF's National Board of Directors and is also publisher of quail magazine Coveyrise.

QF: How did you get into conservation?

KP: I get involved because I care and the best way to help restore bobwhite populations in this country is to make sure that our policymakers are aware of the needs of wildlife such as quail. As a young man, I hunted quail with my daddy and granddaddy. We would find on some days 20-30 coveys. Today, you are lucky to find one. That's because land use policies over the decades have changed how we approach wildlife. We need to make sure the decisions that are made here on out are good for wildlife, especially quail.

QF: From a quail perspective, the biggest Farm Bill-related issues are...?

KP: We must keep the Conservation Reserve Program at current levels, or even adding acres so that contracts coming up for renewal are re-signed. It is proven that CRP programs benefit wildlife, especially upland birds like quail. There are also benefits to other wildlife species, and for a variety of songbirds. Programs like CP33 and CP38 are good examples of how wildlife can benefit. Take for example CP33, this program is designed to improve quail habitat by creating buffers along row-cropped fields. This program was so important it was announced by President Bush. It places 250,000 acres into buffers in many states. This is valuable quail habitat. These transitional edge areas around agricultural fields provide vital nesting and brood-rearing areas for quail, as well as habitats for songbirds and other wildlife. This program also has an economic benefit for farmers who take croplands out of production.

QF: What can the Senate do to improve upon the Farm Bill passed by the House?

KP: The House Bill, chaired by Ag Committee Chairman Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota, is a great piece of legislation. It is conservation heavy, and conservation friendly. It addresses many areas that affect quail habitat and habitat that is necessary for other wildlife species. Conservation programs like CP33, CP38, WHIP and EQIP play a significant role for private landowners who use these programs to develop wildlife habitat, whether it is removing invasive species, thinning timber or implementing a prescribed burning program. These measures provide the tools needed by the private landowner under conservation programs to establish valuable habitat. Our hope is that Senate Ag Committee Chair Tom Harkin of Iowa will maintain these conservation issues as passed by the House, or even improve even more on the bill if that is possible. It might require work in conference when the time comes to pass a 2007 Farm Bill that favors wildlife habitat.

QF: Many hunters don't see how they can make a difference through advocacy. What would you tell them?

KP: If you do not get involved then you can't complain about what you end up with. My granddaddy always used to say "If you sit on the porch, the sun will pass you by." What he meant was get out there and do something. All it takes is a telephone call to a congressional office to register your support or even a concern for any piece of legislation. And if you are a hunter, an outdoorsman, you should speak out about the 2007 Farm Bill because it will affect all types of land issues and policies.

QF: And to those who say those calls don't matter, what do you say to them?

KP: People normally do not think that congressmen want to hear from you, but they do. They take comments seriously, especially comments that can make a difference in something under consideration, especially something as serious as a Farm Bill. This is a big country and people need to have a voice in what goes on in Washington, and even at the local levels of government.

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