Which agency administers the Farm Bill's conservation programs?

The agency responsible for administering the Farm Bill's conservation programs is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA plays a vital role in implementing agricultural policies and programs aimed at both supporting farmers and promoting environmental conservation. Within the USDA, various divisions, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), specifically focus on conservation efforts, providing technical assistance and financial incentives to landowners to support sustainable agricultural practices and protect natural resources. This makes the USDA the central authority for the conservation provisions outlined in the Farm Bill.

The roles of other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), while related to environmental protection, are not focused specifically on agricultural conservation programs. The Department of Agriculture (DOA) is sometimes a term used interchangeably or informally, but it does not represent an agency by that name; the correct agency is the USDA. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) typically refers to state-level agencies that manage natural resources and do not administer federal agricultural programs. Thus, the USDA is the correct answer as it is directly tasked with overseeing and implementing the Farm Bill's conservation initiatives.