Members of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus joined Congressman Leonard Boswell (D-IA) in his district (Osceola, Iowa) in March to discuss reauthorization of the conservation programs contained in the Farm Bill and tour Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands.

The Congressmen in attendance included Caucus Co-Chair Mike Thompson (D-CA); Caucus Vice Chair Robin Hayes (R-NC); Executive Council Co-Chair Collin Peterson (D-MN); Congressman John Dingell (D-MI) and Congressman Ernie Fletcher (R-KY).

The visiting Congressmen and Rep. Boswell met with business, agriculture and conservation representatives to discuss upcoming Congressional action on the Farm Bill. The visit came on the heels of Cong. Collin Peterson's introduction of the Conservation Reserve Program Bill that is overwhelmingly supported by the Caucus. A main component of Congressman Peterson's bill calls for an increase in the number of acres that can be enrolled in the program to 45 million acres. Currently the program is capped at 36 million acres.

"The CRP has been a win-win situation for farmers and for sportsmen in my district. It not only helps farmers but it provides critical wildlife habitat for a host of both game and non-game species of wildlife. We couldn't think of a better location to discuss the Farm Bill and the important conservation programs than here in Osceola", said Congressman Leonard Boswell.

"We were pleased to be able to show the visiting Caucus members the on-the-ground benefits of their work in Washington on the Farm Bill as well as a little Osceola hospitality along with some pheasant hunting," said Tony Caligiuri, President of Boyt Harness and sponsor of the event.

While in Iowa the Congressmen also attended a pheasant hunt to raise funds for the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. This was the first event of what we expect to be many regional fundraisers hosted around the country with participation from members of the Caucus. The next regional fundraiser is April 30 in Napa Valley at the Mt. Villa Eden Winery in California. The event is being hosted by Caucus Co-Chair Mike Thompson and sponsored by UST Public Affairs Inc. If you would like CSF to host a regional fundraiser in your district please contact Karen McDonald at 202-543-6850.