INDIANA — The Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD) has announced the indefinite pause of three statewide conservation programs due to recent funding freezes and delays resulting from unforeseeable and sweeping executive orders issued by the Trump administration. All staff associated with the Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative (CCSI), Resilient Indiana (RITA), and Urban Soil Health (USH) programs have been furloughed.
The impacted programs — CCSI, RITA, USH — provide critical outreach, technical assistance, and training to support conservation practices that protect soil health and water quality, and ensure agricultural sustainability across the state. In 2024, CCSI staff participated in over 100 events reaching 11,500 farmers and landowners. The seven RITA technicians hired last year were able to expand into 44 Indiana counties and participate in 136 field days and training events. USH staff supported local SWCD Working Groups in 40 Indiana counties and participated in 150 events reaching over 5,000 stakeholders and farmers.
IASWCD is still awaiting a clear timeline or guarantee regarding the resumption of funding for these valuable programs, making it difficult to predict if or when they may reopen. In good faith, IASWCD has submitted the required forms and reports on expended funds per the federal agreements and is currently awaiting reimbursement of more than $400,000.