More than $28 million in federal conservation funding is headed to projects in Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa, including efforts to restore drought-damaged ranchland, recharge the Ogallala Aquifer and expand cattle grazing opportunities.
The funding is part of a $325 million investment in 42 projects nationwide announced by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins through USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
Nebraska: $8.3 million for ranchland recovery
AgSpire Inc. will lead the Nebraska Working Lands Recovery and Resilience Project, receiving $8.3 million to help beef producers restore forage across 132,000 acres affected by drought and wildfires.
The project will use cover crops, forage plantings and annual forages to improve grazing conditions, allow damaged rangeland to recover and strengthen drought resilience.
Kansas: $10 million for Ogallala Aquifer recharge
Ducks Unlimited will receive $10 million for a project focused on restoring playa wetlands across the Ogallala Aquifer region.
The initiative will offer voluntary conservation rental agreements lasting 10 to 15 years, compensating producers for restoring and protecting wetlands and surrounding land.
The goal is to improve groundwater recharge, water quality and wildlife habitat while supporting long-term agricultural production.
Although Kansas is the lead state, the project targets the broader aquifer region.
Iowa: $10 million for grazing and water quality
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will receive $10 million to expand conservation and livestock grazing opportunities across western and central Iowa.
The project includes cover crops, forage plantings and livestock watering systems.
USDA projects more than 300,000 acres of cover crops, with reductions of approximately 3.3 million pounds of nitrogen, 336,000 pounds of phosphorus and 1 million tons of soil loss.
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig said the funding will help expand the state’s Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program, which began in Taylor County in 2016.
Nationwide investment
USDA says approximately 75% of this year’s $325 million in funding will go directly to agricultural producers or cover conservation practice implementation.
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program combines federal funding with local partnerships to address soil health, water quality and other natural resource challenges on working agricultural lands.