The markup of the agricultural appropriations bills took place this week in Congress. Members of the Land Stewardship Project were in Washington D.C. fighting against proposed cuts to conservation programs. LSP member and Redwood County Minnesota dairy farmer James Kanne says appropriators are proposing $300 million less for the Conservation Security Program and $113 million less in EQIP.
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program would also have funds reduced to $46.5 million. Kanne says the appropriations committee is looking at raiding conservation programs for cash to fund areas outside of agriculture.
Adequate funding for federal conservation programs is especially important for farmers in Minnesota this year with the new buffer strip law.
Kanne says they also talked to lawmakers about additional beginning farmer programs, including a program to wave college debt for individuals that go back to the farm.
