DATE: 10 March, 2026
SECTOR: Conservation, U.S. Agriculture Policy
SOURCE: USDA Economic Research Service (ERS)
TOPIC: Overview of U.S. conservation programs and their impacts
SUMMARY: A high-level review of USDA conservation programmes, outlining how they support environmental outcomes and evolve through successive Farm Bills.
DESCRIPTION: This USDA ERS report provides an overview of the major conservation programs available to U.S. agricultural producers, outlining how they are structured, funded and implemented. Covering four Farm Bills, the report offers context on how these programs have evolved over time and their role in supporting soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat and air quality across U.S. agriculture.
Read an overview: Overview of Status and Trends of USDA Conservation Programs, 2002–2025
Access the full report: Status and Trends of USDA Conservation Programs, 2002–2025
