"Farmers were conserving long before it became politically correct," Lucas said. "They have always had a vested interest in preserving the land that provides for them." 

Lucas and the subcommittee heard from representatives of the livestock and agricultural industries, as well as the American Farm Bureau Federation. They testified on the conservation programs of the current farm bill, and suggested needed changes for the next farm bill.

"It's good to hear of the successes of the programs from those in the field," Lucas said. "And about what could work better, as we work to hammer out a farm bill to address the needs of 21st Century agriculture."

The hearing was the first of three that Lucas' subcommittee will conduct to review the current conservation programs and determine the direction of the conservation title of the farm bill. The 1996 farm bill's programs will expire after 2002, so the House Agriculture Committee is looking to write the next farm bill, including the conservation programs, this year.

Lucas said although many of the conservation programs have been successful, as indicated by the large number of agriculture producers signing up for the programs over the years, decisions will have to be made on funding levels.

"Today's witnesses asked for between three to eight billion dollars per year for conservation programs alone in the next farm bill," Lucas said. "Our challenge will be to balance the costs of the successful conservation programs with the rest of the farm bill programs." 

Testifying before the committee were: Thomas Weber, Deputy Chief for Programs, Natural Resources Conservation Service; Robert Stephenson, Director of Conservation and Environmental Programs, Farm Service Agency; Wythe Willey, President Elect, National Cattlemen's Beef Association; Bill Horan, President, Iowa Corn Growers Association; and John Lincoln, President, New York Farm Bureau.

As well as conservation hearings, the Agriculture Committee has held several hearings dealing with the farm bill. The committee has heard from agriculture groups from each industry segment, from agriculture trade groups, and from representatives of the livestock industry. The committee also conducted 10 field hearings in the Midwest to hear directly from agriculture producers. Hearings will continue throughout the year. 

Lucas presided over the meeting as chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development, and Research.  He was named the Chairman of the subcommittee in January. Lucas currently operates a farm and cattle ranch in Roger Mills County in western Oklahoma.