In 2022, Congress promised $19.5 billion for ag conservation programs that many of us rely on, or have been working to secure contracts for to help us protect our lands. Now, they are trying to move that money into other programs that would funnel it towards the largest producers of commodity crops.

As the farmers who were promised these funds, we are calling on Congress to keep their word and keep that funding in conservation. 

Add your name and email below, and let Congress know that we won’t accept less so that businesses can have more.

Thank you for signing and sharing with your farmer networks, and please contact Wayne Swanson Jr. at cswanfarm@gmail.com with any questions.

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Dear Chairwoman Stabenow, Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Boozman, and Ranking Member Scott,

As farmers and ranchers, we want you to protect the historic $20 billion investment in federal agriculture conservation programs. We are sad to hear that policy makers are looking to remove billions of these dollars to send to commodity programs. Congress made a promise to America’s farmers and ranchers, and we expect you all to to stand by your word to us. Our support here is to ensure these dollars can be accessed by farmers of all sizes across our country to advance soil health practices. 

There are tens of thousands of farmers across the country who want to access the USDA conservation programs but are turned down because there is not enough funding available. The IRA’s investment into these programs is essential to help more farmers improve conservation outcomes, while reducing production costs and farm expenses; increasing farm profit; and building more flood, drought, and extreme weather resilient farms. 

In turn, this funding will help revitalize rural communities across the country and ensure farmers and ranchers are playing a pivotal role in addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving water quality, and increasing biodiversity.

Healthy, viable farms & agriculture is key to America’s prosperity and national security. The success of farmers and ranchers depends on ensuring that conservation practices supported by the USDA will continue to be funded. With depleted and eroding soil, increasingly extreme weather events, and loss of biodiversity, farmers and ranchers need support. In return, we will do our part to ensure food, fiber, and fuel production never stops for generations to come.

The undersigned farmers and ranchers urge you to protect these investments in USDA agriculture conservation programs.