Navigating government programs has never been for the faint of heart, nor has it been something citizens have dared wade into alone, should some form of assistance be available.
That’s true of conservation programs, too. And it’s why conservation groups in general and Pheasants Forever in particular expressed concern earlier this month when President Donald Trump released a budget outline for the fiscal year (2026) that begins Oct. 1. Per a May 2 PF press release, “The so-called ‘skinny budget’ would reduce the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s budget by more than 18% from existing levels. As part of those cuts, conservation technical assistance at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) would be slashed by $754 million.”
