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Soil and water conservation districts and farmers grapple with conservation program changes

On May 14, 2025, farmer Steve Inwards near Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, observed corn growing two inches high as part of the Advancing Markets for Producers program.
This program replaced a Biden-era pilot canceled in April 2025 due to excessive administration fees and less than half of funding reaching farmers amid a Trump administration transition.
The changes include a funding freeze, staff cuts exceeding 100 NRCS positions in Minnesota, and revamping programs that left nearly 4,000 producers unpaid across four states.
District manager Darren Newville explained that, based on the $100 per acre payment option, the total expected payments would have exceeded one million dollars; however, none of the producers have received any funds so far.
These disruptions have created distrust in the farm community, though officials say the new program aims to prioritize farmers and honor eligible expenses incurred before April 13, 2025.

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Soil and water conservation districts and farmers grapple with conservation program changes

Freezing of funds, revamping of programs and cuts to staffing that have come with the new Trump administration transition continue to bring questions in the farm community and those who serve them. For soil and water conservation district staff like those serving East Otter Tail and Wadena counties, in central Minnesota, perhaps the biggest problem created by the abrupt changes is a loss of trust as farmers who signed contracts under a Biden-era…

5 days ago·Fargo, United States

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