Coalition Urges Congress to Double Investment in Farm Bill Conservation Programs

ASFPM joined a broad coalition of more than 200 conservation, farmer, rancher, sportsmen and women, and wildlife groups who called on Congressional leaders to increase funding in the reconciliation bill for Farm Bill conservation programs.

Farm Bill conservation programs give farmers resources and technical assistance that support a variety of voluntary conservation practices and help farms, wildlife, and communities reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and boost conservation efforts. The conservation programs are vital to giving American agriculture a role in addressing climate change, supporting jobs and aiding economic recovery, all cornerstones of the “Build Back Better” reconciliation package.

“We believe farmers, ranchers, and foresters are ready to move agriculture toward net zero emissions if they are provided the tools and resources to make that goal a reality. Action this year on the climate and infrastructure bill represents the best opportunity in decades to meet farmer demand for conservation programs.” The organizations wrote in the letter.

The letter also noted that the Farm Bill conservation programs are effective and popular and, as a result, often oversubscribed. “The full suite of voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs administered by USDA enables farmers, ranchers, and forest owners to adopt practices that build soil health, sequester carbon, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also improving surface and ground water quality, increasing water efficiency, and creating habitat for fish and wildlife. Unfortunately, however, Farm Bill conservation programs are routinely oversubscribed. Demand for conservation on 13.8 million acres goes unmet because of inadequate funding every year.”

President Biden and key administration officials, including USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, have stated that American farmers are an essential part of efforts to lead the world in addressing climate change. In addition, Senate leaders, including Senate Agriculture Committee Chair, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) have pointed out that this is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to increase funding for conservation programs and build farm bill baseline.

See the full text of the Aug. 4 letter with the list of all signers.