Our Story
In 2022 a federal bill significantly increased funding for farm conservation. While the initial reaction was joyous, reality set in for many farmer-serving organizations across the country. USDA conservation programs were set up for large scale row crop and livestock operations. Most of the farmers we work with grow food for people to eat, are small to mid-scale, may have diverse vegetable, fruit or mixed operations that were sometimes organic, and most of them had been unsuccessful in getting into USDA conservation programming in the past.
With the support of the California Climate and Agriculture Network, we brought together thought leaders from across the country to design a program that would help all farmers access conservation support by working with the people and organizations in their communities that they know and trust. Our partners have been working with farmers in their communities for years and now have staff dedicated to addressing the barriers to accessing USDA conservation programming.
Our work
Farmers give us more than nutritious food; they can help our communities stay healthy by protecting our water and land. We believe every farmer, regardless their size or what they grow, should be supported in implementing conservation practices on their farm. The Midwest Agriculture Conservation (MAC) Network is active in six states where our Conservation Coordinators help farmers identify the conservation programs that meet their goals. They provide detailed information on USDA programs, help develop conservation plans, and navigate the bureaucracy and connect them with additional resources, ensuring good conservation practice is implemented successfully. They work with farmers every step of the way and can connect farmers who have never participated in what are complicated programs with those who have to help answer questions and provide advice.
And that’s not all.
The MAC Network also hosts a strong community of practice. Coordinators work collaboratively across states to solve the problems farmers often face in accessing conservation programs and implementing good practices that lead to clean water and community health. They provide technical assistance and lift up positive solutions that benefit everyone. We know that farmers want to be good stewards of the land, air and water.
For every farmer that gets government conservation support about three are turned away.
We can do better. Farmers want to protect clean water and grow healthy food for their communities but they often struggle to get a fair price for what they produce. On average, most farmers get about 10 cents of every dollar we spend on food. USDA conservation programs were set up to help offset the costs of implementing new conservation practices but those resources often go to those with the most land, resources and information. Our network is working to make sure all farmers know what resources are available, understand the process and have support along the way.
This work involves all of us.