Policy Action
The MAC Network collaborates by translating the barriers and challenges farmers face into policy recommendations leading to greater accessibility and success in the future. Please visit this page for updates on how you can support the advancement of policy that best serves farmers and our communities.
Voluntary conservation programs help farmers care for the land and our communities by implementing practices that protect clean water, prevent the loss of soil needed to grow healthy food and much more.
Unfortunately, those programs reject three farmer applications for every one that is funded through the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service.
According to data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), between 2010 and 2020 the agency turned down 946,459 Environmental Quality Incentives Program contracts and 146,425 potential Conservation Stewardship Program applications (M. Happ,IATP Closed Out, 2021). That is more than 1 million lost opportunities to improve natural resources and the health of communities across our country.
We can do better
We have a responsibility to each other, our society and future generations to care for the land that feeds us. Take action today by supporting increased funding for agricultural conservation and for the staff that works with farmers to implement these best practices.