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Vilsack shoots down speculation 30×30 plan is a land grab

Ag Secretary Vilsack is assuring farmers and ranchers President Biden’s 30×30 plan is not a land grab by the administration.

During a call with reporters Thursday, Vilsack says the goal is to utilize public and private working lands committed to conservation.

“We are in the process right now, we meaning the Department of Agriculture, of having a series of outreach efforts. We’ve established a Federal Registry notice for the series of questions that we’ve asked folks to comment on, and we’ve had a series of meetings with commodity groups, farm organizations, and others, to get their input.”

He says USDA will use that feedback to structure a plan that aims to conserve at least 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.

“There’s no intention to take something away from folks. It’s really designed to figure out creative and innovative ways to encourage folks to participate in what I think many farmers and ranchers are already doing, and may very well be inclined to do more, if the right set of incentives are in place.”

American Farm Bureau president Zippy Duvall says concerns among farmers and ranchers are escalating and AFBF is asking the Biden administration for clarity on the 30×30 initiative. 

Governors of 15 Midwestern states including Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, sent a letter to President Biden Wednesday saying they have not been adequately consulted on the program and states have sole regulatory authority to govern lands within their borders.