Re: "Agriculture Secretary vs. Sacred Cow" (news article, Dec. 11):

It didn't take long for the sharks to start circling around Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman. Her thoughtful proposals to move the nation's farm policy into the 21st century—including innovative, flexible conservation assistance to address new environmental concerns—stirred up the "business as usual" crowd on Capitol Hill.

Ms. Veneman's bracing wind of reform has at least prompted Congress to consider significant new financing for farmers on waiting lists for conservation assistance. Let's hope Congress follows through on her good ideas and puts more conservation money into the hands of farmers who could use it.