Administration boosts conservation funding in 2024

USDA expands support for climate-smart farming

The Administration has made a historic investment in private lands conservation through the USDA, allocating over $5 billion in fiscal year 2024. This funding is part of the Inflation Reduction Act and represents the largest investment in USDA history for conservation efforts.

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has funded over 23,000 climate-focused conservation contracts, covering more than 11 million acres of farmland, forests, and ranches across the U.S. These investments are designed to support climate-smart practices and help landowners mitigate the effects of climate change.

A key component of the funding includes $3 billion for climate-smart agriculture and forestry, focusing on water conservation and drought resilience in the western U.S. Additionally, $1.2 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act is helping support water conservation efforts and build resilience against the impacts of climate change.

The NRCS continues to provide essential financial assistance to farmers and ranchers through programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

However, despite increased funding, the NRCS was only able to fund a portion of the applications received due to high demand for these programs.

Looking ahead to fiscal year 2025, the USDA plans to make up to $7.7 billion available for conservation and climate-smart practices, continuing its commitment to sustainable agriculture.

The Inflation Reduction Act’s investments will also ensure that underserved communities benefit from these programs, in line with the President’s Justice40 Initiative.

This record-breaking investment by the USDA marks a significant step toward helping farmers and landowners improve the health of their land while advancing the nation’s climate goals.