Conservation groups have a big say in what goes in to a federal Farm Bill.

And today, two major conservation groups were asking farmers and ranchers what changes they'd like to see in the 2012 Farm Bill.

Sarah Gustin reports.

Conservation Programs have been around for years

But are they effective? The Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Northern Plains Association of Soil Conservation Districts are asking what they are doing right and what needs to be changed

(J.R. Flores / State Conservationist) "There are actually three items one is are the current conservation programs that we have being effective, are there other alternative programs that can work such as enviromenal credits, tax credits and the thrid thing is what are the most impornat natural resource concerns impacting farmers and ranchers and other stake holders in the country." (Marc Schriefer / Golden Valley Producer) "The whole American way now is turning green so to speak, let's make everything green. I think that through these NRCS programs is a way for some of the farmers and ranchers of North Dakota to actually showcase wha they are already doing and just get a little assistance in making these practices better

Producers, environmental groups, and farm commodity groups from North and South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, and Kansas are giving their input

Mark Schriefer farms and ranches near Golden Valley

He feels the current programs are effective at getting producers in the door and conservation programs on the ground

(Marc Schriefer / Golden Valley Producer) "They are helping individual producers pay for some of these programs where if the financial responsibilty soley fell on the producer many of these practices would never get put into place." But that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement

(Marc Schriefer / Golden Valley Producer) "I would like to see more funding and promotion going toward that part of it as far as the animal waste type systems. Let's face it anytime you feed animals in a confined area you are going to have waste and let's just do it right from the get go." Schriefer says he would also like to see more funding for water developments, pipelines, water tanks, and cross fencing

In Bismarck for KX News, I am Sarah Gustin. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list