The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) expresses appreciation to Glenn “GT” Thompson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, for introducing the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, which reinforces the importance of conservation under Title II and provides much-needed certainty for farmers, ranchers, and locally led conservation efforts nationwide.
Title II of the Farm Bill remains the backbone of voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs that support America’s producers in protecting soil health, improving water quality, enhancing wildlife habitat, and strengthening working lands. The draft bill bolsters key programs that conservation districts help deliver every day, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
This draft legislation maintains long-term funding for these programs and includes important reforms that provide greater flexibility for locally led decision-making — a principle that has guided conservation districts for generations. By ensuring conservation dollars can address local natural resource concerns and landscape scale priorities, the draft reinforces the locally driven conservation model that delivers measurable results on the ground.
“For nearly a century, conservation districts have worked hand in hand with landowners, operators, and our federal partners to implement practical, science-based solutions that protect our natural resources while keeping working lands productive,” said NACD Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Peters. “The legislation released by Chairman Thompson recognizes the importance of stable conservation funding and impact of our voluntary, locally led conservation delivery system.”
NACD emphasized that passing a full, bipartisan Farm Bill is critical. Landowners and operators, conservation districts, and partners rely on the certainty and continuity provided by long-term authorization. NACD welcomes the opportunity to work with the House Agriculture Committee as they begin debating the Farm, Food, and Security Act of 2026 next week.
