In the News

From farming publications to national and local news, outlets across the country are spotlighting the importance of conservation programs and the need to keep them funded and operating effectively. Read their coverage below.

USDA Staffing Shortages Strain FSA and NRCS Services Across Rural America

WASHINGTON (DTN) — Farmers in Polk County, Iowa, still have a Farm Service Agency office to visit. But when they arrive, four out of five days, that office will be closed. Calls are rerouted and employees from other counties come in to staff the office.

Read More USDA Staffing Shortages Strain FSA and NRCS Services Across Rural America

STUDY | The Unfinished Farm Bill: First Reading of Proposed Senate Legislation by Jonathan Coppess

On June 23, 2026, Senator John Boozman (R-AR), chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (ANF), released legislative text for the unfinished provisions of the traditional Farm Bill. Chairman Boozman is calling the legislation “Farm Bill 2.0” (Senate ANF, “Farm Bill 2.0” and Press Release, June 23, 2026). This article provides a first

Read More STUDY | The Unfinished Farm Bill: First Reading of Proposed Senate Legislation by Jonathan Coppess
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Federal Conservation Programs Strengthen America’s Farmers, Ranchers, & National Security

The hard work farmers do each day has never been more important — however, our farmers are currently facing a variety of tough challenges that threaten their ability to do their jobs.

Read More Federal Conservation Programs Strengthen America’s Farmers, Ranchers, & National Security
/ Ag Week

Print: Portraits of Conservation showcase the impact and importance of conservation funding

Invest In Our Land launched Portraits of Conservation, a traveling visual display traveling from South Dakota to Washington, D.C., displaying the importance of conservation programs and federal funding.

Read More Print: Portraits of Conservation showcase the impact and importance of conservation funding
/ South Dakota Public Broadcasting

Mitchell farmer shares his experience with conservation farming | SDPB

As conservation farming practices continue to grow in popularity, many are looking to states like South Dakota to keep farmland healthy and workable for the future.

Read More Mitchell farmer shares his experience with conservation farming | SDPB
/ South Dakota Public Broadcasting

Art installation on Corn Palace promotes conservation farming

Visitors may notice something different at the World’s Only Corn Palace: faces plastered on the walls and the words “In Mitchell, conservation is tradition. Protect it.” Invest in Our Land is a conservation farming advocacy organization who put the message together, hoping to educate Americans about safeguarding the future of U.S. farmland. Rebecca Bartels is the Executive Director of Invest in our land, as well as a Onida, South Dakota native. She said the group wants the focus on the people laying the groundwork for conservation practices, and not just policy.

Read More Art installation on Corn Palace promotes conservation farming
/ Mitchell Republic

Corn Palace becomes canvas for South Dakota farmers in conservation art project

More than a hundred giant portraits of South Dakota farmers cover the walls of the Corn Palace, part of a national public art project unveiled to spotlight agricultural conservation efforts and the producers who use them.

Read More Corn Palace becomes canvas for South Dakota farmers in conservation art project
/ South Dakota Searchlight

Conservation advocates applaud federal funding boosts, but worry USDA can’t distribute them

Farmers and conservation organizations welcomed the additional funding for some conservation programs President Donald Trump signed into law this summer. But they also worry there won’t be enough federal staff around to ensure the programs’ success.

Read More Conservation advocates applaud federal funding boosts, but worry USDA can’t distribute them

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