By Jamie Martin
The Administration has announced a record $5 billion investment in private lands conservation through the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This historic funding is part of the Inflation Reduction Act, marking the highest total investment in conservation in USDA history.
In fiscal year 2024, over 23,000 conservation contracts were funded, covering more than 11 million acres across the U.S. The funding aims to promote climate-smart practices on farms, ranches, and forests, addressing urgent environmental needs and helping producers adapt to climate change.
The USDA allocated $3 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act for climate-smart agriculture and forestry mitigation activities, in addition to $2 billion from the Farm Bill. These investments provide significant co-benefits, such as water conservation, wildlife habitat, and soil health improvements.
While demand for conservation programs is high, the NRCS was unable to fund nearly 64% of applications for programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).
However, with over $7 billion available for fiscal year 2025, NRCS will continue to support climate-smart practices and increase funding for underserved communities.
The USDA also continues to support programs like Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW), focusing on science-based financial assistance for both wildlife and farming communities. The NRCS has streamlined processes to make these programs more accessible and efficient for farmers and ranchers.
With the Inflation Reduction Act’s ongoing investments, the USDA is committed to helping farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners implement conservation practices that benefit the environment, strengthen local economies, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National