USDA| Source |
Introduction: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is committed to supporting farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners in adopting climate-smart practices through innovative partnerships. This initiative aims to expand markets for climate-smart commodities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide tangible benefits to agricultural producers, particularly small and underserved stakeholders.
Investment Overview: USDA is investing over $3.1 billion in 141 projects under the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative. These projects prioritize the active involvement of small and underserved producers, ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities.
Key Objectives
- Technical and Financial Assistance: Projects will offer support to producers for implementing voluntary climate-smart production practices, including cover cropping, no-till farming, and nutrient management.
- Innovative Methods: Pilot programs will explore cost-effective approaches for quantifying, monitoring, reporting, and verifying greenhouse gas benefits, fostering transparency and accountability.
- Market Development: Efforts will focus on developing markets for climate-smart commodities, creating new revenue streams for farmers and ranchers while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Impact and Benefits
- Expanded Markets: Hundreds of markets and revenue streams will be created for a diverse range of commodities, benefiting both traditional and specialty crop producers.
- Land Engagement: Over 25 million acres of working land will adopt climate-smart practices, contributing to enhanced soil health, biodiversity, and resilience.
- Carbon Sequestration: These projects are expected to sequester over 60 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, equivalent to removing millions of vehicles from the road annually.
- Diverse Collaboration: The initiative engages nearly 100 universities, including minority-serving institutions, and over 20 tribes and tribal groups, fostering innovation and inclusivity in climate solutions.
Future Outlook: Proposals for selected projects demonstrate a commitment to leveraging non-federal funds, with an average matching rate of 50%. This collaborative effort signifies a collective commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture and mitigating climate change impacts.
