U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith addressed the need for improvements to U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs that are significant for Mississippi producers and communities. During a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, titled “Perspectives from the Field, Part 4: Conservation,” stakeholders provided insights on the future of USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service programs.
Hyde-Smith emphasized, “It’s clear that we have our work cut out for us. These conservation programs, which are popular in Mississippi and across the country, face challenges because of funding and staffing limitations. However, they are important and we need to solve just how to keep them strong and viable in a new Farm Bill.”
The senator highlighted several key programs: the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program (WFPO), and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). She remarked, “One of the many benefits of these important working lands programs is that they allow private land to remain in production while farmers and ranchers implement various conservation practices.”
Gary Blair from Starkville, president of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), was asked by Hyde-Smith about changes in the 2018 Farm Bill that affected CSP and EQIP enrollment. Blair noted, “Those are two important programs to the Mississippi Delta and to Mississippi in general, and we are at times not receiving enough funding for CSP and EQIP across the nation.”
Hyde-Smith also sought NACD’s perspective on improving the WFPO program: “As you highlighted in your testimony, maintaining this infrastructure is essential for protecting our citizens, communities, small businesses, and producers.” Blair responded by emphasizing the importance of funding watershed rehabilitation projects due to aging infrastructure.
Additionally, Hyde-Smith discussed ACEP Wetlands Reserve Easements with Lynn Tjeerdsma from Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. She asked about reducing administrative burdens to encourage more landowner participation. Tjeerdsma identified bureaucratic complexity as a primary obstacle: “That’s probably one of the biggest deterrents… Sometimes making more money available isn’t always the answer.”
Overall, these discussions underscore ongoing efforts to refine USDA conservation initiatives as part of crafting a new Farm Bill.
