Other Voices

Details on President Trump’s 2020 budget were released this month. In an attempt to rein in federal spending, the budget recommends a $3.6 billion cut to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Unfortunately, the proposals set forth in this budget seem far-removed from the realities rural Americans face every day.

The budget makes cuts to conservation programs, and proposes elimination of the Conservation Stewardship Program. These recommendations would significantly reduce the ability of farmers to implement conservation practices that address important resource concerns on productive acres, such...