Environmental Group Targets Ineffective Farm Subsidies in Colorado River Basin

A national environmental group, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), has criticized two federally subsidized farm programs for inadequately helping farmers in the Colorado River Basin adapt to drought and climate change, which have reduced river flows by 20% since 2000. In a new report, EWG argues that the crop insurance program and conservation-friendly practices program, which collectively funneled $6.1 billion to basin farmers from 2017 to 2023, encourage outdated farming practices. Pinal County, Arizona, received the most crop insurance payments in the region, totaling about $153 million during this period.
Longtime Pinal County farmer Dan Thelander acknowledged the programs’ benefits, stating they have kept farmers in business during prolonged droughts. However, EWG suggests these programs need reforms to promote less water-intensive crops. The report highlights that farmers’ heavy reliance on water-thirsty crops like alfalfa and cotton is unsustainable given the worsening drought and heat due to climate change.
The federal crop insurance program, which pays private insurers to sell and service policies, covers significant portions of farmers’ premiums and administrative costs. From 2017 to 2023, about 80% of the $5.61 billion in crop insurance payments to river basin farmers were for crops affected by drought and heat. The report calls for farmers to reevaluate their agricultural practices and crop choices to better adapt to extreme weather conditions.
Despite these criticisms, Thelander emphasized the necessity of crops like alfalfa for affordable livestock feed and noted ongoing efforts to adopt more water-efficient irrigation methods. He also highlighted the challenges of transitioning to entirely drought-tolerant crops, given economic realities. The report concludes that with appropriate support and guidance, farmers can adjust their practices to mitigate the impacts of climate change.