Indian Association of Sol Conservation Districities and Water Suspens State Conservation Programs

The Indian Association of soil and water conservation districts (IASWCD) announced the indefinite break of Three state -level conservation programs Due to the recent freezing of the financing and delays resulting from the unforeseen and sweeping executive orders issued by the Trump Administration.

Starting this week, all the staff associated with the initiative of conservation collection systems (CCSI), Indiana Resilient (RITA) and Urban Soil Health (USH) programs have been tanned.

These closures, which have a negative impact on the conservation delivery system on which farmers, forestry, breeders and urban cultivators are based, are based on wider national challenges. The frozen federal financing has led to personnel redundancies and program suspensions to agencies and organizations from all over the country, according to the National Association of Conservation Districities. (NACD report)

The affected programs – CCSI, RITA, USH – provides critical information, technical assistance and training to support conservation practices that protect soil health and water quality and ensure agricultural sustainability throughout the state.

In 2024, the CCSI staff participated significantly in over 100 events, reaching 11,500 farmers and landowners. The seven RITA technicians employed last year were able to expand to 44 counties in Indiana and participate in 136 days of land and training events. USH staff has supported local SWCD working groups in 40 Indiana counties and has participated in 150 events that have reached over 5,000 interested parties and farmers. With these now suspended programs, customers and their partners will face significant interruptions in their ability to access the resources and training needed to advance an efficient administration of natural resources and farm sustainability.

“Although this is a provocative moment for conservation efforts in Indiana and throughout the country, IASWCD remains fully employed to support the 92 soil and water conservation districts,” said Liz Rice, IASWCD executive director. “We are extremely grateful to our partners of the State and Federal Agency and the local conservation organizations that have expressed their support. IASWCD remains dedicated to training and advocacy to support preservation at local level, ensuring that SWCD in Indiana can continue their vital work even during these difficult periods. ”

IASWCD is still waiting for a clear chronology or a guarantee regarding the resumption of financing for these valuable programs, which makes it difficult to predict whether or when they can reopen. In good faith, IASWCD presented the necessary forms and reports on the funds spent in accordance with the federal agreements and is currently waiting for the reimbursement of over $ 400,000. As the situation evolves, IASWCD will continue to work closely with interested parties and partners to plead for these vital conservation initiatives.