USDA Allocates $51.9 Million to Combat Feral Swine Across 13 States, Including $2.9 Million for Arkansas Projects
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has committed $51.9 million to 29 partnership projects across 13 states to address the threats posed by feral swine to agricultural producers. This investment is part of a larger $105 million initiative for the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program, a collaborative effort between USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). In Arkansas, two specific projects have been awarded $2.9 million. According to Arkansas State Conservationist Amanda Mathis, these projects are crucial for eradicating and controlling feral swine, which negatively impact plant and wildlife habitats, soil, water quality, and can transmit diseases to livestock and humans. The funding for these projects is provided by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, marking a significant long-term investment in NRCS conservation programs. Since 2020, NRCS has invested $92.9 million in 63 projects under this program, assisting ove...
