The USDA, the Farm Bill’s Conservation Title, and Its Potential to Advance Racial Equity
By: Brendan Looney and Victor Hibbeln
American University Farm Bill Practicum, May 2023
It is a harrowing reality that many of the United States federal institutions bear an intrinsically racist history, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is one of the most grievous examples. Since the department’s inception during the American Civil War, it has systemically ignored, sidelined, and denigrated African American farmers. More recently, attempts at reversing some of the damage have been met with staunch resistance from white farmers who claim that programs exclusively intended for Black farmers are examples of “reverse discrimination”. So far, the country’s judiciaries have agreed.
2021’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) allocated $4 billion in debt relief payments for Black farmers in an attempt to undo decades of discrimination. The USDA was effectively prevented from even beginning to distribute these funds as white farmers filed lawsuits alleging discrimination. The ARP was then followed by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which, while providing more available funding, is hamstrung by its use of race neutral language but offers $3.1 billion for “financially distressed farmers” and a further $2.2 billion for farmers who can prove they were subject to discrimination at the hands of the USDA.
On a larger scale, the IRA provides the USDA with just under $20 billion for conservation programs via the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to be divided as follows: $8.45 billion for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, $4.95 billion for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, $3.25 billion for the Conservation Stewardship Program, $1.4 billion for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, and $1 billion for the Conservation Technical Assistance Program. While the political context in which these funds will be distributed is far from ideal, they still represent a promising avenue to advance racial equity in US agriculture through payments, technical assistance, and climate change mitigation measures.
Four programs in particular which can be extremely beneficial to both farmers and the environment are the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Meant to promote climate smart agricultural practices, many farmers, especially minority farmers, find it difficult to successfully apply for these programs. In an effort to provide a clearer roadmap, key information regarding application windows, eligibility and benefits of these four programs has been synthesized.
Offering financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers, EQIP offers assistance to farmers who implement conservation practices. Tailored to farmers’ individual needs, EQIP allows farmers to leverage their unique knowledge of their land, and to receive payment that covers some of the costs of conservation practices. Indian tribes and water management entities are also eligible for this program. Application windows and deadlines vary by state, but contacting the local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is the first step. From there, an individualized conservation plan can be formulated.
Providing guaranteed loan financing and grant funding for renewable energy systems, REAP is open to small businesses and agricultural producers. Specifically, small businesses must be located in rural areas that have a population of 50,000 or less. Agricultural producers must have 50% of their gross income come from agricultural operations to be eligible. New application windows open every three months, those being June, September, December, and March, however applications are accepted year-round.
In place for both farmers and ranchers, CSP provides annual payments and planning assistance for sustainable agricultural production methods. Financial assistance is flexible, as the program offers help to fund ongoing sustainability efforts, as well as additional sustainability projects that applicants would like to incorporate in their ongoing efforts. Like EQIP, the application windows and deadlines are state specific. The application process begins at the local NRCS office.
For long-term funding, CRP offers farmers annual rental payments in exchange for removing environmentally sensitive lands from production. The annual payments are part of a 10-15 year long agreement, providing consistency. Seeking to improve water quality and reduce soil erosion, along with other ecological benefits, CRP applicants are ranked using an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI). Factoring in six metrics, including wildlife habitats and water quality, the program seeks to provide funding for those pieces of land that will provide the most relative environmental benefits. Applications are ranked against one another. Applications for general CRP funding open in late February and run through early April. However continuous CRP enrollment is open year round for environmentally sensitive land. These tracts of land must meet specific qualifications to be considered environmentally sensitive, but are not subjected to competitive bidding, as is the case in the general application period.
For more information about EQIP, REAP, CSP & CRP, details about program variations, key dates and fact sheets have been provided in a toolkit. The ease of access to key information and explanations of these programs are intended to benefit those farmers who have been historically discriminated against.
Sources and further reading
Farmers and Advocates See Opportunity for Climate Action and Racial Equity in the Upcoming Farm Bill
Racial Equity in the Farm Bill: Recommendations and Opportunities
How the Long Shadow of Racism at USDA Impacts Black Farmers in Arkansas—and Beyond
Black Farmers in Arkansas Still Seek Justice a Century After the Elaine Massacre
African American Farmers and Civil Rights
‘Rampant issues’: Black farmers are still left out at USDA
Inflation Reduction Act Investments in FPAC Loan and Conservation Programs