NDSU analysis finds conservation funding shifts under new farm bill

A new analysis by Ming Wang and Matthew Gammans from NDSU’s Agricultural Risk Policy Center and NDSU’s Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies, explores how USDA conservation funding is being reshaped under the House’s One Big Beautiful Bill, particularly through the reallocation of Inflation Reduction Act resources.

The analysis shows that the OBBB rolls $10.7 billion of IRA funds into the Farm Bill baseline, leading to a net $1.795 billion decrease in total conservation outlays between FY2025 and FY2034, according to projections by the Congressional Budget Office.

While short-term funding for programs like EQIP is reduced, this change shifts resources into the long-term Farm Bill framework, potentially offering greater funding stability over time.

However, the bill eliminates explicit climate-related priorities established under the IRA and reallocates funds toward broader conservation goals. This may lead to geographic shifts in how conservation dollars are distributed.

Counties and states heavily dependent on IRA-specific funding, like Kidder and Burke counties in North Dakota, could experience sharper short-term impacts. Meanwhile, states with more diversified conservation portfolios may benefit under the new funding formula.

This analysis provides valuable insight for policymakers, agencies, and stakeholders navigating the changing landscape of agricultural conservation policy.

View the full analysis online. For more information, contact: Ming Wang at ming.wang@ndsu.edu and Matthew Gammans at matthew.gammans@ndsu.edu.