There are longstanding federal programs that help farmers adopt climate-friendly practices in working their land. But a new report says despite some recent progress, support for too many producers in Minnesota and elsewhere remains out of reach. The latest findings from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy show that applicants awarded contracts under the Conservation Stewardship Program increased from 18 percent in 2020 to nearly 25 percent in 2022. But 3 out of every 4 applicants to those two programs are still rejected.

Adam Griebie, a farmer in west-central Minnesota, said going through the application process is labor intensive, time consuming and, often, an uphill battle.

"It almost feels like I could hire a full-time assistant just to help through the process. It can be a time-consuming and, at times, a frustrating process," he said.

The report's authors say some of that might have to do with regional USDA offices being understaffed. The IATP reported Minnesota has awarded more program contracts than any other state since 2010, but of those that applied last year, only 8% were approved. Researchers and advocates say doubling the amount of conservation funding in the upcoming Farm Bill would go a long way towards addressing demand.

The Inflation Reduction Act did set aside roughly $20-billion for conservation agriculture.

Michael Happ a program associate on Climate and Rural Communities at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policies, said that is an important step but suggests more long-term stable funding is needed so that farmers maintain certain practices amid a changing climate.

He added additional tracking would help ensure whether these programs are reaching historically disadvantaged farmers the way they were designed to.

"We could go a lot further in making sure these programs are accessible to small farmers, farmers of color, farmers that don't have a whole lot of resources," Happ said.

He added that is especially important in states like Minnesota, where Hmong farmers are helping to make the state's agricultural sector more diverse. Some Republicans in Congress have proposed diverting conservation funds, including the extra IRA aid, to other agricultural needs. There is concern that debate will lead to delays in approving the Farm Bill, putting even more stress on existing programs, including ones highlighted in the new access report.

Debate on the Farm Bill is scheduled to begin in September.


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William Peace University is teaming up with Produce Purpose, a nonprofit organization, to install a hydroponic farming operation on campus.

The new program aims to provide purposeful employment for individuals with special needs, promote sustainable and pesticide-free agriculture, and encourage healthy eating habits at the university.

Matthew Harvey, founder of Produce Purpose, said the program, inspired by his special needs brother, is not only to promote interactive learning but to address a real problem happening among young people.

"The age demographic between the ages of 18 and 29 is seeing the most weight gain in a person's lifetime," Harvey pointed out. "The freshman 15 slogan holds more truth than people really want to admit."

To bring the hydroponic farming operation to life on campus, Produce Purpose will also be partnering with Freight Farms, a hydroponic technology company based in Boston. Plans for the fully automated hydroponic farm are already underway, and the first crop is set to become available for harvest this fall.

The collaboration goes beyond merely providing fresh produce to students; it also creates multidisciplinary educational opportunities for them. Harvey highlighted the program will be accessible to students studying subjects such as biology, interactive design, psychology and special education.

"For example, if you are a physics student and you want to learn more about how different colored light waves can affect the growth of plants, you can see that in the red and blue light wave tech that the container farm has developed and perfected," Harvey explained.

Harvey added the program will hire about three special-needs farmers.


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Georgia farmers are watching a bill that is being reintroduced in Congress for ways to help their farms become more sustainable and less likely to contribute to the warming climate. The Agriculture Resilience Act is making a comeback this year after languishing in Congress since 2019. Its goal is to make agriculture a 'net-zero emissions' industry by 2040. Farming now contributes about 8.5% of U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions.

Lotanna Obodozie, Climate Campaign director with National Young Farmers Coalition, said her group hopes the bill gives farmers more access to the resources they need to increase sustainability.

"Farmers are experiencing a lot of barriers when trying to use or apply for USDA programs, and so I think that is a challenge that farmers could face," she said.

Agriculture is a $70 billion part of Georgia's economy. The bill focuses on assisting farmers in adopting eco-friendly practices, and would fund research into cutting-edge farming methods. The Agriculture Resilience Act has just been reintroduced. Previous bills had no co-sponsors from the Georgia delegation.

The legislation also includes measures to address social-justice issues in farming communities. It outlines ways to support minority-owned farms and promote equitable access to resources like land and water. Obodozie said this focus is needed to bridge gaps in agriculture across the nation.

"One thing that's really important is just how can we make sure that these programs are accessible for all farmers - not just large farmers, but also small farmers, beginning farmers, farmers of color, and other historically disadvantaged farmers," she said.

Some people have suggested adding this legislation to the 2023 Farm Bill, which Congress is scheduled to begin debating in September. In Georgia, over 42,000 farms span more than 10 million acres, according to the USDA.


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Congress has been holding hearings on the next Farm Bill, which has major implications for the nation's food system. It also shapes conservation programs, and Wisconsin producers hope a key funding source is not left behind.

The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative helps farmers carry out managed grazing, where animals are rotated on and off parcels of land for foraging, allowing other sections of the property to recover. Ag experts said it makes the land and animals healthier.

Mary Anderson, council president of the River Country Resource Conservation and Development Council and a farmer from Western Wisconsin, said the initiative's technical assistance is vital.

"We're able to avoid pitfalls, and it helps make our operations more successful," Anderson explained.

Much like hiring a professional to suggest home renovations, a grazing specialist helps a farmer find ways to make their land work for managed grazing. Supporters of the initiative not only want reauthorization in the Farm Bill, but also seek stable funding at $50 million annually.

The bill is passed every five years, and could again become mired in debate over Republican calls for cuts to SNAP benefits.

In addition to technical assistance, the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative provides funding for outreach such as conferences and webinars. Anderson pointed out there is a lot of demand, but not enough funding, and not rising to the challenge could hurt the movement.

"So, it's very important that farmers get not only technical assistance, but education," Anderson emphasized. "Then of course, research dollars too, that will guide us to do a better job."

The River Country Resource Conservation and Development Council helps property owners navigate issues as they look to make their land more sustainable. In the most recent fiscal year, the council was revived with a $14 million subsidy, after funding had been cut for more than a decade.


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