June 2, 2025
Iowa Farmers Union Applauds Court Victory in Defense of Farmland Conservation Protections
Nevada, IA – The Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) celebrates a major legal victory for conservation-minded farmers across the country. In an opinion issued on May 30, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa upheld the constitutionality of the Swampbuster provisions in federal law, affirming the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s authority to deny federal subsidies to landowners who convert protected wetlands into crop production.
The court’s decision to dismiss the lawsuit brought by CTM Holdings, LLC ensures that essential conservation safeguards remain firmly in place—protecting wetlands, preserving soil health, and promoting responsible land stewardship.
“This is an important victory for family farmers who believe in balancing productivity with sustainability,” said Aaron Lehman, President of the Iowa Farmers Union. “The court affirmed what we’ve long known: that commonsense conservation protections like Swampbuster are constitutional, voluntary, and critical to the future of preserving our nation’s farmland.”
In the case, CTM Holdings challenged the USDA’s longstanding authority to enforce Swampbuster rules, claiming that they amounted to an unconstitutional restriction on private property. The court rejected those arguments on every front—holding that the rules are a valid use of Congress’s spending power, that the landowner had no grounds to sue, and that no constitutional rights were violated.
IFU joined the case as an intervenor alongside several allied conservation organizations, including Food & Water Watch, Iowa Environmental Council, and Dakota Rural Action. Together, they defended the principles that wetlands are vital to water quality, wildlife, and climate resilience—and that farmers who accept taxpayer support have a responsibility to conserve shared natural resources.
“Farmers are already leading the way in conservation, from cover crops to habitat protection,” said Lehman. “Swampbuster simply asks that we don’t destroy wetlands in exchange for farm subsidies—and that’s a fair deal for the land, the public, and future generations.”
The Iowa Farmers Union remains committed to defending federal programs that reward stewardship and promote equity in agriculture. Yesterday’s ruling is not just a legal win—it’s an affirmation that our nation upholds the values of sustainability, fairness, and accountability in American agriculture.
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