Expand and Deliver Conservation Funding

Without resources for staffing and distribution, critical programs stall and America’s producers are left behind. We’re advocating for the long-term protection of conservation funding and increased capacity to deliver it—ensuring dollars actually reach farmers on the ground.

Our Goals

Invest In Our Land is bridging the gap between policymakers and farmers to ensure vital conservation funding gets into the hands of the hardworking farmers who need it.

Increase federal funding for agricultural conservation

specifically, programs and practices that increase resilience, strengthen farms and support climate mitigation.

Make sure the conservation programs farmers rely on actually work

by strengthening the system that delivers them, from the local office to the state and federal level.

Build awareness and producer demand for conservation practices

that have the biggest impact on soil, air, water quality and climate.

Conservation Funding: By the Numbers

Nearly $2 billion

proposed cut to EQIP in the Senate Farm Bill, FY2027 to FY2030

DTN

56,500+

valid farmer applications that could go unfunded as a result

Farmdoc Daily

24%

EQIP award rate in FY2025, down from 43% in FY2024, on 118,377 applications.

IATP

23%

share of NRCS staff lost January 2025 to January 2026; 141 counties lost all NRCS staff.

NSAC

The State of Conservation Funding

Conservation has long been one of the most bipartisan parts of the Farm Bill. In 2025, Congress moved historic conservation funding into the long-term Farm Bill baseline, so farmers could count on programs like EQIP and CSP through 2031. That commitment is now at risk. The Farm Bill approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee in September would cut EQIP by nearly $2 billion over four years to pay for other priorities, which by the University of Illinois’ estimate could leave more than 56,500 valid farmer applications unfunded. The House-passed bill would move roughly $1 billion out of EQIP in the near term. Demand is already far ahead of funding: in fiscal year 2025, only 24 percent of EQIP applications resulted in a contract, down from 43 percent the year before. And these programs are only as strong as the people who deliver them: NRCS lost 23 percent of its staff between January 2025 and January 2026, and 141 counties lost every NRCS employee they had.
The Farm Bill extension expired on September 30, and Congress returns after the November elections facing a December 11 funding deadline. Our ask is simple: protect core conservation programs like EQIP, and make sure NRCS has the staff to put those tools in farmers’ hands.

“Conservation programs help keep American agriculture competitive…We want food security and I want to protect that.”

– Grady Heitmann, Heitmann Family Ranch, South Dakota

Hear from Other Farmers

Invest in Our Land in Action

Invest In Our Land is committed to bringing farmers and policymakers together to protect the future of American agriculture. View some of our recent work here:

On your commute, showing congress, farmers, and Americans what is at stake.

Protect our farmers. Protect our food. Protect our families. — On the wrapper of the Washington Post, delivered directly to the Hill.

At Ag Progress Days in Pennsylvania, Rep. GT Thompson listening to remarks by local conservation farmers.

In Pennsylvania at Ag Progress Days, a multi-acre crop circle engaging policymakers and the public.

Creating “Portraits of Conservation”, a large-scale photo installation at Dakotafest 2025, featuring portraits of local conservation farmers and ranchers.

With Rep. Dusty Johnson, adding his photo to the “Portraits of Conservation” installation at the Corn Palace in South Dakota.

During “Portraits of Conservation” at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, featuring nearly 400 portraits of South Dakotans in support of conservation funding.

On Capitol Hill, meeting with legislators.

In the Rayburn Foyer, honoring farmers and ranchers from across the nation in a large-scale art installation.

In members' offices, sharing our stories.

Meeting directly with our decision makers in Washington.

In the halls of Congress, during the debut of a large-scale art installation.

Policy News

September 30, 2026 / DTN Progressive Farmer

USDA Adds $300M to Regen Ag Program

WASHINGTON (DTN) — USDA is putting another $300 million into its Regenerative Pilot Program (RPP) in fiscal year 2027, bringing total funding for the program to $1 billion as the agency expands a conservation initiative focused on soil health and whole-farm regenerative practices. The program operates through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation

September 8, 2026 / MinnPost

Op-ed: Washington is cutting the conservation programs that gave me a start in farming

By Gabe Arveson of Trail, Minnesota | I’m 23 years old, and I raise soybeans, spring wheat, oats and a small herd of beef cattle near Trail, in northwest Minnesota. I love being a farmer. But keeping a farm going is another thing entirely when you’re just starting out. One reason I can is that

August 24, 2026 / New York Times

Farmers Struggle to Get Basic Services From Depleted Agriculture Department

After the departure of thousands of federal workers, rural communities report problems obtaining loans, grants, technical assistance and support for infrastructure and other services.

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