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Protect & Expand Funding for Working Lands Conservation Programs in the 2023 Farm Bill

Don't Let Congress Raid IRA Conservation Funds

August 31, 2023

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Farmers are uniquely positioned to both mitigate and build resiliency when it comes to climate change. Farmers are on the front lines of managing extreme weather events, emerging pests and disease, degraded topsoil, altered planting and harvesting timing, dwindling pollinator populations, and more. At the same time, small and mid-sized farmers are facing consolidation, financial stress, lack of access to land, processing issues, marketing problems, a dysfunction healthcare system, and more.

When farmers have tools in their toolbox to innovate and build resiliency on the land, their farms, our ecosystems, and our communities are given greater opportunities to flourish.

Right now, the demand is growing for federal working lands conservation programs like the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) — but funding isn’t keeping up. Take CSP for example: applications have grown by 20% since the 2018 Farm Bill, but only about 25% of applicants are awarded contracts.

Luckily, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed last year, included approximately $19.5 billion over four years for USDA working lands conservation programs, including CSP and EQIP. These dollars will help ensure more farmers have the financial and technical support they need to build resilient and sustainable operations — the 2023 Farm Bill has the opportunity to build upon these funds to ensure more and more farmers have all the tools they need.

With available funding already failing to match demand, it’s particularly concerning that some folks in Congress are considering raiding these IRA conservation funds for their own 2023 Farm Bill Priorities. Now is the time to build upon, not cut, IRA conservation funds.

The 2023 Farm Bill is currently being drafted and should be introduced in the coming weeks. Now is the time to demonstrate widespread public support for protecting and expanding upon USDA conservation programs.

Could you take two minutes to urge your members of Congress to fight to protect and expand upon conservation programs in the 2023 Farm Bill?

Take Action

Regardless of your role in our farm and food system, your voice is needed. The 2023 Farm Bill is being drafted as you read this e-mail. Please take action today!

Check out the Land Stewardship Project’s Farm Bill landing page to learn more about LSP’s 2023 Farm Bill priorities. 

P.S. If you want to learn more about one of our other Farm Bill priorities — strengthening the safety net for small, mid-sized, and diversified farms — please join LSP for a special Farm Bill Friday Crop Insurance Webinar on Friday, September 15, at 12 p.m., via Zoom. Register here.

Category: Action Alerts
Tags: 2023 Farm Bill • conservation • CSP • EQIP • working lands conservation

Contact

Amanda Koehler, LSP policy manager, e-mail, 612-400-6355

 

Upcoming Events

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July 2025

Friday July 25

9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Ray Archuleta Soil Health Series: White Earth
Friday July 25
9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Ray Archuleta Soil Health Series: White Earth
1482 MN-200, Mahnomen, MN 56557, USA

Details are here.

Saturday July 26

9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Ray Archuleta Soil Health Series: White Earth Nation Community Day
Saturday July 26
9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Ray Archuleta Soil Health Series: White Earth Nation Community Day
1482 MN-200, Mahnomen, MN 56557, USA

Details are here.

Tuesday July 29 – Wednesday July 30

Premier Soil Health School 2025
Tuesday July 29 – Wednesday July 30
Premier Soil Health School 2025
38270 Kenwood Ave, Redwood Falls, MN 56283, USA

Details are here.

Tuesday July 29

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms
Tuesday July 29
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Unlocking Conservation Resources for Communities & Farms
Gorecki Community Center, 435 2nd St NW, Milaca, MN 56353, USA

Join Renewing the Countryside and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) this summer at one of their eight conservation events in a town near you, where you will:

  • Learn how conservation benefits Minnesota’s rural communities.
  • Hear from a panel of local speakers.
  • Discover available NRCS Farm Bill programs and the economics of on-farm practices.
  • Enjoy a complimentary lunch, plus a chance to win door prizes.
  • Network with local farmers, neighbors, and conservation professionals.
  • Receive helpful materials and personalized support on next steps after the event.  

For more information, click here. 

Locations & Dates:
Each event is free, open to all, and runs from noon to 2 p.m. at the venues listed. Space is limited, please register in advance.

  • Hallock (Kittson County) – Tues, July 22 @ Far North Spirits
  • Elbow Lake (Grant County) – Wed, July 23 @ Elbow Lake Community Building
  • Sleepy Eye (Brown County) – Thur, July 24 @ Sleepy Eye Brewing Company
  • Milaca (Mille Lacs County) – Tues, July 29 @ Gorecki Community Center
  • Mora (Kanabec County) – Thur, July 31 @ Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery
  • Owatonna (Steele County) – Tues, August 5 @ Owatonna Public Utilities Building
  • Jordan (Scott County) – Wed, August 6 @ Ridges at Sand Creek
  • Fairmont (Martin County) – Thur, August 7 @ Red Rock Center for the Arts

Wednesday July 30

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Healthy Roots & Clean Boots: Soil Health Event for the Whole Family
Wednesday July 30
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Healthy Roots & Clean Boots: Soil Health Event for the Whole Family
1015 70th Ave SE, Murdock, MN 56271, USA

This is a free, family-friendly Swift County SWCD event all about soil health and sustainable farming. Explore exciting, hands-on exhibits and demonstrations designed to teach both kids and adults about how farmers are caring for the land. There will also be several agricultural vendors on site, including consultants, product suppliers, and more.

Enjoy activities like:

  • Rainfall Simulator
  • Cover Crop Plots
  • Stream Table
  • Seeding Drone Displays
  • Soil to Snack
  • The Edible Underground
  • ​GeoSandbox Explorer
  • Equipment Displays
  • Ask-a-Soil-Health-Farmer Booth 

A free-will donation meal will be served, with all proceeds supporting local soil health programs. 

For details and to register, click here. 

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