February 19, 2025

Minneapolis, MN – The federal funding freeze has stalled conservation programs and funding for many farmers and ranchers across the country. This puts multi-year, farmer-led projects – and therefore farmer livelihoods – at risk.

The recent cuts to the federal workforce at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will further hamper conservation at a time when the costs of climate change are escalating. These workers provide critical, local partnership to farmers, ranchers, and landowners who are implementing conservation to protect natural resources, reduce their risk exposure to extreme weather, and improve long-term farm profitability.

“The human part of this is a casualty,” said Illinois farmland owner and Climate Land Leaders Board member Gail Hickenbottom. “This reduction in workforce causes not only the loss of jobs but the loss of trustworthy knowledge. With any loss one must ask, what is the net gain, if any? What is the value of the knowledge each individual takes with them? Who speaks for the land?”

Climate Land Leader Carol Bouska, who co-manages Iowa farmland with her siblings, said: “Our local NRCS, FSA (Farm Service Agency), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service teams are our partners in conservation on our family farm. We would not be where we are without their expertise and support. Our parents began a great partnership with these groups, and we are so grateful to be the next generation working with their next generation.”

Climate Land Leaders steward over 49,000 acres throughout the Midwest. They are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their agricultural operations, store more carbon in soils and plants, and help ensure that our lands and communities are resilient. For more information, visit www.climatelandleaders.org.