The graphs show cash payments made by the Federal Treasury to meet a legal obligation. In 2014, spending on mandatory programs increased while spending on discretionary programs decreased. In 2015, funding for both programs increased. In 2016, funding for both programs decreased, but it increased again in 2017. In 2018, funding for mandatory programs decreased while funding for discretionary programs remained the same. The USDA budget for 2018 allocates $149 million for various programs. $123 million is for mandatory programs such as crop insurance, feeding aid, farm product and trade programs, and environmental programs, $26 million is for discretionary programs like WIC, Rural Development, Forest Service, food safety, study, and conservation efforts. Nutrition aid receives 69% of the mandatory programs budget, farm and crop programs receive 18%, and conservation and forests receive 7%. The remaining 6% is for other discretionary programs. The budget cuts conservation program funding, making it harder to protect endangered species and keep water clean. The budget also eliminates funding for rural development, which helps farmers and other businesses in rural areas become more sustainable by saving money on energy costs through green energy initiatives. This hurts the environment and the economy. The budget takes away more