Conservation

Federal taxpayers annually spend billions on programs to promote the implementation of conservation practices on privately owned farm, ranch, and forestry lands. Primarily funded through the Farm Bill’s Conservation title, these programs are intended to compensate landowners for practices that secure important public goods such as cleaner water.

While some programs pay landowners to permanently or temporarily remove agricultural land from production, the majority of federal farm bill conservation dollars are paid for practices implemented on working lands. Improvements in the focus and management of agricultural conservation programs can reduce on- and off-farm risks, enhance farm income, and reduce costs for agricultural operations and taxpayers, especially during years of drought, flooding, or severe storms.