For over three decades, I didn’t just work *for* farmers, I worked *with* them. As a district conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, my office wasn’t a barrier, but a bridge – connecting producers to the resources they needed to thrive. It meant dusty boots, walking fields, and crafting solutions tailored to each unique operation.
I remember one rancher vividly. He was a man weathered by years and deeply distrustful of the federal government. We spent days together, mapping his land, discussing his challenges, and ultimately designing a grazing plan that included a new well and miles of pipeline. The transformation was remarkable. His land flourished, his skepticism faded, and he became a powerful advocate for the very programs he once doubted.
That success wasn’t an isolated incident. Word spread, demand surged, and our small office grew, proving the power of localized, practical conservation. These local USDA offices, staffed by dedicated professionals, are the vital arteries through which federal support actually reaches the farmland – and the farmers who depend on it.
But today, those arteries are constricting. A recent report revealed a staggering loss of 22 percent – over 2,600 employees – from the NRCS in just six months. Across the heartland, a familiar fear is taking root: the fear of being left to face unprecedented challenges alone.
I share that fear, not just as a former conservationist, but as a farmer myself. My son and I run a cow-calf operation in South Dakota, alongside corn and soybean fields. We’re battling rising costs, unpredictable markets, and increasingly severe weather – challenges that threaten the very foundation of family farms like ours.
Voluntary conservation programs, like EQIP and CSP, are a lifeline. They provide the tools to manage risk, boost productivity, and build resilience. On our own land, these programs funded a well and pipeline system that increased our stocking rate by 15 to 20 percent, allowing us to produce more beef on the same acreage.
The demand for these programs is immense. Farmers consistently voice strong support for conservation funding, yet applications far outnumber available resources. Even with recent increases, nearly 64 percent of applications went unfunded last year. This isn’t a lack of will, but a growing crisis in capacity.
There’s been progress. Leaders in Congress have recognized the importance of long-term conservation funding, and recent initiatives, like the Regenerative Pilot Program, demonstrate a commitment to strengthening producers’ profitability and the nation’s food supply. But funding alone isn’t enough.
Conservation funding is useless if there’s no one available to deliver it. Each lost staff member translates to longer wait times, delayed payments, and increased financial strain on farmers already operating on thin margins. These delays can be the difference between survival and closure.
Efficiency isn’t about shrinking the workforce; it’s about delivering results. A strong, pro-farmer agenda requires a strong, adequately staffed USDA. Without dedicated professionals on the ground, even the best intentions fall short.
Like so many farmers, my greatest hope is to pass our operation on to the next generation. Access to conservation programs – and the people who administer them – is essential to that future. Policymakers must listen to farmers, protect these vital programs, and ensure the USDA is equipped to serve those who feed us all.
