Congressional leaders need to stand up for programs that invest in our future
For 140 years, my family has worked diligently to steward the land. We’ve practiced no-till, planted cover crops, utilized contour farming and invested in windbreaks surrounding our fields to address soil erosion. The soil is the source of our livelihood.
Many farmers and ranchers in Kansas share this same philosophy. As stewards of the land, farmers and ranchers are responsible for the preservation of our resources for future generations. But our current agricultural economy has hindered our ability to implement additional conservation measures. We are in the fourth year of poor commodity prices, and we are faced with skyrocketing input costs. When we crunch the numbers, it’s difficult to justify paying for additional conservation practices.
One program that helps farmers and ranchers build upon their land stewardship is the Conservation Stewardship Program. This program supports the current conservation efforts of farmers and ranchers, and encourages them to build upon them. With more than 70 million acres enrolled nationwide, CSP significantly improves the health of our soil and water.
In 2017, Kansas was a leading state with 438,067 newly enrolled acres in CSP. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 441 contracts, which total more than one million acres, were approved in Kansas last year. But, despite increasing demand and support from farmers and ranchers, CSP is at risk in the farm bill.
The House version of the farm bill fails to recognize the importance of CSP and proposes elimination. If this proposal is in the final farm bill, farmers and ranchers in Kansas and across the nation will experience additional financial hardship. Conversely, the Senate version of the farm bill maintains CSP. This means that hundreds of conservation enhancements on millions of acres won’t be set on the backburner. In order to ensure this positive impact won’t be diminished, CSP must remain intact in the farm bill.
Some might say that is a grim outlook, but it’s a reality for farmers and ranchers everywhere. We can’t address resource concerns alone, and we need programs like CSP that help us steward the land.
Sen. Roberts and Rep. Marshall will be negotiating the terms of the final farm bill in conference committee. I hope they recognize the importance of working lands conservation to the farmers and ranchers who participate in CSP. Farmers and ranchers are already struggling—it’s time Congressional leaders stand up for programs that protect our resources and invest in our future.
—Cora Fox is a policy associate for Center for Rural Affairs.
