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Proposed conservation cuts would further limit already underfunded programs

The program director with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy says the latest iteration of the farm bill being discussed by Congress raises concerns around conservation funding.

During a recent IATP webinar, Michael Happ says the legislation slashes funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP, and the Conservation Stewardship Program, or CSP.

“One of our issues with the recent farm bill proposals by the House and Senate is that they actually cut funding to these oversubscribed and underfunded conservation programs to fund other parts of the farm bill.”  He says, “We think this is misguided.”

He says the non-profit’s work over the past five years shows EQIP funding is already severely lacking.

“Fiscal year ‘25, the latest year we have data for, only about 24% of those who applied to EQIP got in nationwide.”  He says, “That’s 76% of folks applying who don’t get in.”

Happ says the funding cuts, coupled with USDA staff reductions, are likely to greatly reduce the amount of conservation practices being implemented by farmers in the current economic environment.

“It’s honestly easier for them to send out larger contracts to fewer farmers,” he says.

He says IATP advocates for a strong conservation title that ensures food security by providing resources for all producers facing ever-changing environmental challenges.