(Courtesy AFB) On each trip I take around the country, I’m not only impressed with the work farmers and ranchers are doing, but I’m also blown away by the beautiful landscapes and wildlife we encounter. Being surrounded by nature is part of why I love farming. And I know that’s the case for most farmers and ranchers across the country.

While we work the land to produce food, fiber and fuel, we also recognize the important role our land plays in sustaining wildlife. For generations, farmers and ranchers have worked to do more with less. We’ve voluntarily placed 140 million acres of land in conservation programs, which helps provide wildlife habitat. Farmers want to be partners in conserving our natural resources and the wildlife that we share those resources with.

We especially want to be partners in conserving threatened and endangered species. When Congress passed the Endangered Species Act, our representatives recognized that each species plays a role in maintaining a healthy and thriving environment. And while our society and the technology we use have changed a lot in the 50 years since the Endangered Species Act was passed, Congress hasn’t passed significant updates to reflect the realities on the ground. Instead, government agencies like the EPA and Fish and Wildlife Service have created confusing rules that give unelected bureaucrats the power to dictate what Americans do on their private property, and individual judges make sweeping decisions that have national impacts….

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