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WiWiC says NRCS staff reductions slow farmer access to programs

A conservation advocate says volunteer groups like hers have been standing in place for lost conservation technical assistance following USDA staff reductions.

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute Advancement Director Kriss Marion helps to facilitate the Wisconsin Women in Conservation Network.

“We are more of facilitation and support, helping people know what is possible and what they can get, but we know that there’s a holdup in getting help because of the lack of staff,” she says.

Marion estimates the state has lost about 40 percent of its Natural Resources Conservation Service staff over the past year.

The Network was established in 2020 with collaboration between four ag nonprofits and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to help get more women to participate in conservation programs.

“USDA recognized that while women own 50 percent of the land in most states and are about 35 percent of producers, they don’t walk through the doors,” she says. “Women don’t tend to come into NRCS and take advantage of technical assistance and cost share for conservation.”

Marion says hundreds of conservation plans have been developed since, and widespread interest has created similar groups in Minnesota and Illinois.

“With this giant transition of farmland, it is more important than ever to make conservation education more accessible,” she says.

She says hosting regular field days and educational opportunities continues to inspire land stewardship with peer-to-peer networking.