Washington, DC – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is marking National Agriculture Day by recognizing American farmers, ranchers, growers, producers, and private landowners as essential partners in conservation. These stewards play a vital role in sustaining healthy soil, protecting water resources, and supporting wildlife while maintaining productive operations that bolster rural livelihoods and local economies.
The Service emphasizes that those who work the land possess the deepest knowledge of its needs. Through collaborative efforts, agricultural communities lead on-the-ground initiatives that align productivity with environmental health. Across the agency, programs partner with producers to restore native vegetation, enhance water quality, and create habitats for pollinators and other species, demonstrating that agriculture and conservation are inherently interconnected.
The Center for pollinator conservation collaborates with producers and industry leaders to address declining pollinator populations without compromising crop yields. Notably, about 75% of fruit and seed-producing crops rely on pollinators, a reality farmers witness annually. Participants voluntarily implement practices such as integrated pest management, precise pesticide applications, adjusted mowing schedules, and planting native flowering plants along field borders. The Center supports the Farmers for Monarchs coalition by promoting milkweed planting, native forb restoration, and improved migratory corridors on farms and ranches nationwide.
The Partners for Fish and Wildlife program directly engages landowners to conserve and enhance wildlife habitat. In northeast Iowa, it partners with the Iowa Soybean Association to restore or improve over 2,100 acres of pollinator habitat on working lands. Efforts include prairie and wetland restoration, which improves water quality and benefits endangered species like the Topeka shiner. In the Caribbean, the program aids Puerto Rican coffee farmers in transitioning from sun-grown to shade-grown plantations using native canopy trees. This provides habitat for the Puerto Rican parrot, reduces erosion, and minimizes water runoff, yielding dual environmental and economic gains.
The National Wildlife Refuge System’s Farm Conservation Program integrates sustainable practices into farm and ranch operations in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Agency staff deliver technical expertise and facilitate Farm Bill programs, supported by a $22.8 million investment from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Ecological Services teams work with farmers, ranchers, crop consultants, and industry partners to safeguard species and preserve productive landscapes. In California’s Central Valley, collaborations with the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program and native plant producers foster breeding, overwintering, and migratory habitats for monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Best management practices reduce pesticide exposure in sensitive areas. In the Midwest, initiatives with growers, universities, businesses, states, and chemical companies promote endangered pollinator conservation alongside agricultural objectives.
Recently, Ecological Services and the Center for Pollinator Conservation staff participated in farm tours organized by the National Alliance of Crop Consultants and Weed Science Society of America in Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Virginia. These events united federal agencies, consultants, and growers to discuss balancing crop production with species protection. Field demonstrations, such as insect sampling in North Carolina soybean fields and discussions at Wisconsin cranberry marshes, foster stronger relationships and mutual understanding.
These initiatives represent a fraction of the Service’s broad efforts to link agriculture with conservation. Ongoing partnerships deliver superior service to the public by leveraging the expertise of land stewards. Participation in events like USDA’s National Ag Day in Washington, DC, further builds connections and collaboration opportunities. Ultimately, protecting America’s natural heritage thrives through joint efforts with those who best know the land.
For more information, visit U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.