Every year, US farmers apply between 30 and 50 percent more synthetic nitrogen fertilizer than their crops can actually absorb, and the excess that runs off farm fields does harm to people, ecosystems, and the climate.
Voluntary conservation programs administered by the US Department of Agriculture offer scientifically proven ways for farmers to break this cycle of fertilizer dependency, but they are not sufficiently funded to meet demand, and disadvantaged farmers often can’t afford the up-front investment. The next food and farm bill should make these programs accessible to more farmers, and prioritize practices that improve soil health without chemicals—which will also reduce the emissions that drive climate change.
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Citation
Goswami, Omanjana, and Precious Tshabalala. 2026. Less Fertilizer, Better Outcomes. Union of Concerned Scientists
https://doi.org/10.47923/2026.16101
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