Funding conservation - Nebraska's future farming blueprint

By Scout Nelson

The Dust Bowl of the 1930s taught Nebraska - and the entire Midwest - a hard lesson about the importance of soil conservation. This disaster not only reshaped the landscape but also the lives of 2.5 million people, including families like my own.

In response, the U.S. Congress incorporated voluntary conservation programs into the farm bill, specifically within its Conservation Title, to prevent such a disaster from happening again.

Fast forward to today, these programs, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), are in jeopardy as the farm bill comes up for renewal.

These programs are essential as they provide farmers with the financial and technical assistance needed to adopt conservation practices.

These practices are not just beneficial for improving soil health and conserving water; they are crucial for ensuring the land supports future generations.

Despite their popularity among Nebraska's farming community, a significant gap exists between the demand for these programs and the available funding. In 2023, only a fraction of applicants to EQIP and CSP in Nebraska received the resources they needed.

This situation highlights an urgent need to expand access to these conservation tools, ensuring every farmer can contribute to environmental stewardship.

The support for sustainable agriculture extends beyond the farming community. According to a recent poll, a vast majority of young conservatives advocate for sustainable farming practices, emphasizing the broad appeal and importance of these conservation efforts.

In Nebraska alone, hundreds of contracts through EQIP and CSP are facilitating crucial conservation work, demonstrating the local impact and the widespread benefit of these programs.  
These initiatives offer more than environmental benefits; they provide tangible aids to farmers by improving soil health, reducing erosion, and enhancing wildlife habitats.

As climate change accelerates and extreme weather events become more frequent, the role of conservation programs in protecting Nebraska’s agricultural livelihoods cannot be overstated.

It's time for all Nebraskans to rally for the inclusion and funding of EQIP and CSP in the upcoming farm bill. By securing the future of these programs, we not only honor the lessons learned from the Dust Bowl but also ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for Nebraska's farming community.