Guest Column | Jim Caligiuri
Farmers and ranchers represent just 1 percent of the population, yet tend to almost half of our nation’s land. We play an outsized role in stewarding natural resources, like water and soil, that link directly to our collective health and well-being.
In 2022, Congress made a historic investment to meet the need for more conservation on the ground and high demand from producers. More than 19 billion dollars were dedicated over five years. But now, that investment’s fate is uncertain. Congress should answer the call from farmers and ranchers and keep the funding where it belongs.
Starting new conservation practices often means additional management and expenses. Federal conservation programs help shoulder the cost and provide technical guidance from staff. In these programs, the list of beneficial practices to choose from is long. In Iowa, one popular practice is cover crops, which are planted in the offseason to protect soil from erosion and reduce nutrient runoff. New U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows a 33% increase in Iowa, and 16% increase nationwide in cover crop acres over a five-year period.
Over time, conservation will benefit the producer. They stand to increase production yields, reduce fertilizer costs, and build resilience into their business model.
Importantly, for the rest of the 99% of Americans, there are benefits too. Improved soil quality has been linked to more nutritious food. Conservation improves the quality of water, including drinking water. For every farmer or rancher that implements new practices, there are entire communities downstream that benefit.
Further, many conservation practices combat climate change by sequestering carbon and reducing emissions. Recent research suggests that expanding adoption of key practices on farms and forests would cut net emissions and keep us on track toward climate goals.
Currently, the demand for incentive-based conservation programs outstrips federal funding — at a time when we should be supporting more conservation, not turning people away.
Yet, we continue to do so. These programs are entirely voluntary and available in all states and territories. Across the board, demand from farmers and ranchers persists and overwhelms supply.
Last year, only 25% and 31% of applicants nationwide were accepted into two key programs, according to the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. In the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, only 34,222 out of 134,450 applications were funded — a lost opportunity for improved water quality and soil health for at least 100,000 applicants. In the gap between interest and funding, it is hard to imagine what opportunities we have let slip away over decades.
Every few years, Congress has the important job of passing a Farm Bill. The bill is a broad piece of legislation that directs food and agriculture in our country, but we should also see it for what it can be: a clean water, soil health and climate resiliency bill.
Our lawmakers are actively debating what our next Farm Bill will look like and the fate of this historic conservation funding is at stake. These funds should be kept for their intended purpose, providing clean water and soil health benefits in exchange for taxpayer investments in conservation programs for farmers and ranchers.
As a nation, we know why this is important. The Dust Bowl taught us we must tend to the health of our soil to secure our food supply. Disease and health concerns remind us of the importance of water quality. We do not have time to waste to maximize natural solutions, like building soil health, to help fight climate change.
In our political moment, it can be hard to find things that connect us. Yet, most of us find ourselves drinking water and eating food. Even if you do not farm or ranch, you are connected to, and dependent on, agriculture.
The message from farmers and ranchers is clear. We want more access to voluntary conservation programs to get started. Congress should protect the funding that will allow us to do so.
Jim Caligiuri is an Iowa farmer and chairman of the agricultural affairs committee of the Izaak Walton League of America.
Opinion content represents the viewpoint of the author or The Gazette editorial board. You can join the conversation by submitting a letter to the editor or guest column or by suggesting a topic for an editorial to editorial@thegazette.com
Credit: Source link