VIEWPOINT | Grasslands more endangered than Amazon rainforest

Guest column by Lyle Perman, South Dakota Grasslands Initiative

South Dakota is home to some of the most productive agricultural lands, abundant wildlife and diverse recreational opportunities in North America. Our prairies provide an essential grassland base for our communities, agriculture and wildlife to thrive. No one knows that better than South Dakota’s Senator John Thune, who has championed grasslands conservation efforts in Congress while ensuring that farm policy works for farmers, ranchers and outdoor enthusiasts. 

The Farm Bill is critical to farmers and ranchers as they seek to improve and safeguard the productivity of their land. The voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs provide essential tools for farmers and ranchers to improve water quality and soil health while preventing erosion and wildlife habitat loss across millions of acres. Conservation programs are so popular that only 27 percent of South Dakota applicants who applied were successful in being accepted for the most popular U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs in 2023. 

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