Farmers who signed agreements with the Agriculture Department to participate in voluntary conservation programs are stuck waiting for tens of thousands of dollars in reimbursements as the government shutdown stretches on.
The lack of federal money and certainty comes during an already-stressful time of year for farmers who are wrapping up harvest season and starting to plan for next year’s production. Multiple farmers said in interviews that USDA hasn’t clarified when they’ll be paid back for expensive projects they’ve been fronting and, in some cases, have already completed.
“It’s frustrating,” said Rodney Koch, a South Dakota producer of corn, soy, alfalfa and other crops for livestock feed who is waiting to receive funds from USDA. “Everything’s at a standstill.”
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, which received a nearly $20 billion boost under Democrats’ signature climate law in 2022, awards farmers with conservation-centered grant funding for projects like land management, climate-friendly upgrades and some Make America Healthy Again priorities, including prioritizing soil and water health.
