New Poll, Map Affirms Benefit of USDA Conservation Programs, Farmers’ Support for Increased Funding

WASHINGTON D.C. - An overwhelming majority of farmers and ranchers value voluntary conservation programs and want to see Congress increase their funding, according to data from a nationwide producer survey. Results from a National Wildlife Federation survey of 506 farmers, conducted by Trust In Food in December 2024, shows that as many as three out of four producers support an increase in long-term funding for U.S. Department of Agriculture's voluntary conservation programs.

These results complement a new district-level mapping tool that shows where USDA working lands conservation investments have gone and what they have accomplished - helping farmers and ranchers implement rotational grazing, adopt cover crops, create habitat for wildlife species on working lands, and more.

The map also illustrates how farmers and ranchers in every state have significantly benefited from the voluntary Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program. Further, it shows how the historic boost of funding from the Inflation Reduction Act is expanding the reach of these severely oversubscribed programs.

"Farmers and ranchers overwhelmingly say conservation programs improve their bottom line while protecting healthy soils and clean water," said Aviva Glaser, senior director of agricultural policy at the National Wildlife Federation. "Producers know what's best for their land and operations - Congress should listen to them and increase long term funding for USDA's conservation programs. It's a sound investment in our agricultural producers and the future of our working lands."

Other key findings from the poll include:

• Nearly three-quarters of producers, 73%, report that USDA conservation programs help improve their bottom line, reduce input costs, and modernize their operation. Among first-generation farmers, that number jumps to 90%.
• Only 5% of producers disagree with increasing long-term funding for USDA's voluntary conservation programs.
• More than 8 in 10 producers (84%) support the passage of the Farm Bill by Congress as soon as possible.
• More than two-thirds of producers (68%) think designating funding specifically to help farmers adopt climate-smart agriculture practices is a good use of federal funds.
• More than three-quarters of producers (78%) support increased funding for a voluntary, incentive-based program that would help farmers and ranchers conserve grasslands.
• Two-thirds of producers (67%) support increasing the acres available in the Conservation Reserve Program; only 10% disagree.