American Farmers for Conservation
Conservation isn’t partisan or ideological. It is necessary to protect our farmland and farming communities, but the cost to implement new practices can sometimes be out of reach. We need to make sure policymakers understand this reality and how conservation programs can help farmers address the constantly evolving set of challenges they face. That’s why we’re raising our voices to build the support we need to protect the future of America’s food, fiber, and fuel.
Why It’s Important to Speak Up Now:
While industry groups often speak at the podium, farmers’ voices are absent from the rooms where critical policy decisions are made. We need to change that. Our voices are critical to helping policymakers understand the realities we face every day — from thin margins to extreme weather and everything in between. We need to:
Correct the disconnect between policy and reality.
One percent of Americans farm, and 99 percent benefit from that work without understanding how the doing gets done. That disconnect leads to policy that doesn’t match reality.
Protect our land and livelihood.
Our farms are our home and our livelihood. We want to conserve the land, but doing it right takes money, time, and risk. Conservation funding makes it possible.
Tell our stories.
If we don’t speak up, others will speak for us. This is the moment to make ourselves heard.
Our Goals
Increase federal funding for agricultural conservation
Make sure the conservation programs farmers rely on actually work
Build awareness and producer demand for conservation practices
AFC Farmers In Action:
Farmers in our network are speaking up for conservation across the country. Take a look at the map to learn more about some of them, their work, and how they’ve advocated for conservation practices on their farms and beyond.
Lewis Heaton, Heaton Ranch
Watch VideoDan Brick, Brickstead Dairy
Watch VideoJack Herricks, Herricks Dairy Farm
Watch VideoAndy Payne, A&L Payne Farms
Watch VideoBrett and Jason Sauls, Sauls Partnership
Watch VideoHoward James, Jibbs Vineyard
Watch VideoCavin Steiger, Steiger Farms
Watch VideoKristen Kipp, Kipp Ranch
Watch VideoLarry Lempka, Los Rios Farm
Watch VideoMaggie Hanna, Hanna Ranch
Watch VideoJustin Lewton, Lewton Farms
Watch VideoJohn Burk, Burk Family Farms
Watch VideoRoy Schneider, Schneider Farms
Watch VideoDan Janski, Janksi Farms
Watch VideoPete Youngblut, Youngblut Ag
Watch VideoJason Russell, Big Boulder Farms
Watch VideoRodney Koch, Koch Enterprises
Watch VideoVirgil Two Eagle, Black Feather Buffalo Ranch
Watch VideoCrystal and Levi Neuharth, Prairie Paradise Farms
Watch VideoGrady Heitmann, Heitmann Family Ranch
Watch VideoTom Croner, T. Rich Inc.
Watch VideoJeff Frey, Future View Farm
Watch VideoHayley and John Painter, Painterland Farms
Watch VideoTim Wells, Sugar Creek Ranch
Watch VideoTy Graham, G&G Farms
Watch VideoLindi and Jared Phillips, Branch Mountain Farm
Watch VideoPJ Haynie III, Arkansas River Rice
Watch VideoBrandon Cain, Cain Farms Partnership
Watch VideoStephen Logan, Logan Farms
Watch VideoMichael Frugé, Frugé Farms and Parish Rice
Watch Video
Join Us
You’ve used conservation practices. You know they work, and you want others to have that same shot. You’re tired of decisions being made about farming by people who don’t understand it. You’re ready to speak up to help people understand how you do what you do.