South Dakota farmers urge Congress to protect conservation funds [Video]

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Monday, farmers and ranchers from the Mount Rushmore State began urging Congress to protect $20 billion of conservation funds aimed at helping the agriculture industry thrive.

At the heart of the matter are $20 billion in conservation funds made available for U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs that could be cut in the next Farm Bill. $434 million of those funds are used in South Dakota alone, providing farmers with the tools they need to solve problems and position their farms to thrive.

Crystal Neuharth, owner of Prairie Paradise Farms in Fort Pierre, says the funding has allowed her farm to implement several conservation practices. She says without the funding, some resources could be harder to come by.

“We’re looking to expand our water sources. A big challenge farmers have and ranchers that getting water to the area so we could have the livestock there. …