Illinois lawmakers call out unbalanced conservation funding

August 14, 2024

On Friday, a group of Illinois legislators requested the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) increase the state’s conservation funding to better reflect Illinois’ agricultural production.

 

The state’s Senators and 11 of its democratic congressmen highlighted the disadvantage Illinois producers face for conservation funding. The letter states, from 2018 to 2022, Illinois ranked fourth in planted cropland, but 37th in national USDA conservation funds.

 

“USDA must boost the percentage of conservation funds sent to Illinois to match our status as a top farming state,” the letter said. “USDA also must simplify its rules to accommodate Illinois farmers and place greater emphasis on achieving environmental results in a swift timeframe: millions of new acres of cover crops, conservation tillage, and fertilizer reduction practices installed in Illinois, in the next few years.”

 

Senators Richard Durbin, Tammy Duckworth and Representatives Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) Sorensen, Johnathan Jackson (IL-1), Robin Kelly (IL-2), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Sean Casten (IL-6), Danny Davis (IL-7), Bill Foster (IL-11), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8), Mike Quigley (IL-5) and Delia Ramirez (IL-3) authored the letter.

 

The lawmakers state funding increases would help farmers address fertilizer runoff, dust storms and pave the way for climate-smart markets.

 

The congressmen also suggested the administration take a broader, more flexible approach to its conservation practices. “In addition, USDA must rethink how these conservation programs are administered, because the current one-size-fits-all approach does not work in Illinois,” the letter said. “Illinois farms have a tremendous diversity of terrain, soils, moisture, microclimates, weather patterns, and cropping practices. USDA, however, requires all farms, regardless of location, to adopt uniform, inflexible ‘standards’ to be eligible for reimbursement for adopting these conservation practices.”

 

IL Corn’s Director of Conservation and Nutrient Stewardship Megan Dwyer says the organization welcomes the legislators’ support and hopes the administration will take note. “Our farmers care about improving water quality and soil health,” Dwyer said. “However, we know implementing new practices, especially when margins are tight can be difficult. We will continue to work on behalf of Illinois farmers to bring new, innovative programs to our state that address climate concerns and increase farmland resiliency.” 

By Sand County Foundation August 28, 2025
Illinois Farmer Awarded Leopold Conservation Award
streambank erosion
By Tara Desmond August 28, 2025
Streambank Erosion: An Overlooked Threat to Illinois Farmland
By Tara Desmond August 28, 2025
What Experienced Farmers Wish They Knew Starting Out
Kacie and Captain us
By Jennie Abbott August 21, 2025
Farm Bureau Manager Kacie Claire shares about her past internship at IL Corn
whiskey
By American Craft Spirits Association August 21, 2025
The Farmer-Distiller: Best Bourbon resulted in a numerical tie, with two distilleries sharing the honor. Queens Reserve, a product of Wood Hat Spirits in Florence, Missouri scored identically to Bloody Butcher Bourbon, which is produced by Pathfinder Farm Distillery in Boonsboro, Maryland.
Green corn stalks in a field, blue sky with white clouds.
By Lyndi Allen August 21, 2025
The time for change is now, action is needed from Congress and the administration after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest World Agriculture and Supply and Demand Estimates report
Show More