May 13, 2025 – Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, Lynn Tjeerdsma—a farmer, rancher, retired public servant, and member of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s national board of directors—testified to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Tjeerdsma spoke to the importance of passing a bipartisan and comprehensive five-year Farm Bill, with meaningful investments in conservation.
“The success of Farm Bill conservation programs lies in their voluntary, incentive-based, and locally led structure,” Tjeerdsma said in his opening statement. “Producers trust these programs because they are rooted in science, respect private property rights, are designed to be flexible, and help farmers’ bottom line. Continued investment in conservation practices and technical assistance is also essential for this trust and success to continue. Strengthening partnerships with conservation delivery partners, state wildlife agencies, conservation districts, and local communities will multiply impact and improve the Farm Bill’s outcomes.”
The 2018 Farm Bill expired in 2023, and since then two successive one-year extensions have been passed, with the latest extension expiring on September 30, 2025. Since the original expiration date, the future of conservation programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) have been uncertain. Without a new Farm Bill, these crucial programs, which benefit conservation, agriculture, outdoor recreation, and rural economies, will miss out on vital funding.
“I’ve worked with Lynn on three Farm Bills,” said Senator John Thune in his introduction of Tjeerdsma to the committee. “The nation’s farmers are better off today because of Lynn’s knowledge and contributions. There’s no one else I’ve worked with who is more passionate about agriculture in this country, specifically about creating the best conditions for farmers.”
To view the hearing and read Tjeerdsma’s testimony, visit this link.
About Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make up the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 480,000 members, supporters and partners is dedicated to the protection of our uplands through habitat improvement, public access, education and advocacy. A network of 754 local chapters spread across North America determine how 100 percent of their locally raised funds are spent — the only national conservation organization that operates through this grassroots structure. Since its creation in 1982, the organization has dedicated more than $1 billion to 580,000 habitat projects benefiting 28.8 million acres.
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