To the Editor:

As one of New York’s 614,000 family forest owners, I work hard every day on my woodland property that provides my community with clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and forest products.

Most people think that the federal government or big industry owns most of America’s forests - but in fact, most of the nation’s forests are cared for by people like me.

Family forest owners know that the threat to our land is real and growing every day.

Invasive plants and pests, severe weather, and development pressures are constant challenges that threaten the health of New York’s 11 million acres of family forest land.

These challenges also threaten the livelihoods of many who rely on good paying rural jobs in forest communities. In our state, $2.9 billion of the state’s economy comes from forests and related industries.

Because private forests provide such important economic and conservation benefits, it’s important that there be tools available to Tree Farmers like me to combat threats and improve our forest stewardship. USDA Farm Bill conservation programs provide essential tools that forest owners use to leverage our resources and sweat equity to keep our forests healthy and productive. Forest owners are farmers too, and the Farm Bill has forest-related programs that can make all the difference between keeping a forest healthy.

Congress is deciding the fate of these USDA Farm Bill conservation programs right now. Some of the federal deficit reductions are likely to come from conservation programs that help family forest owners. I realize that we can’t be immune to what needs to be done to get the deficit down. It’s important though to be sure that conservation programs don’t take an unfair hit at the chopping block. To keep our forests productive, and our rural economies strong, Senator Gillibrand and Representative Owens and their colleagues need to continue to fight for forest conservation programs and ensure they do not take disproportionate cuts in the budget process.

Comprising only a small percent of total Farm Bill funds, conservation programs are a great deal for Americans because they are so effective in improving forest management. Maintaining these opportunities for forest owners in the Farm Bill is essential to preserve America’s forest heritage. And that benefits all of us.

William LaPoint

KS Tree Farm

Winthrop