The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $1 billion in programs that support climate-smart farmers, forest landowners, and ranchers through the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced at Lincoln University in Missouri on Feb.7, saying that the funding opportunity will create revenue streams to help rural America. He said the country’s farmers, ranchers and forest owners are leading the way in climate-smart solutions.
“Through Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, USDA will provide targeted funding to meet national and global demand and expand market opportunities for climate-smart commodities to increase the competitive advantage of American producers,” Vilsack said.
Funding is being allocated to pilot projects providing incentives to producers and landowners to implement climate-smart production practices and systems on their working lands, measure carbon and greenhouse gas benefits and develop markets while promoting climate-smart commodities. A climate-smart commodity is an agricultural commodity produced using farming practices that sequester carbon or lead to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions, according to the release.
Public and private entities can apply and include governments, small businesses, for-profit organizations, Native American tribal governments and organizations, non-profits with and without 501(c)(3), and private and public colleges and universities.
Applications are currently being accepted for the fiscal year 2022.
Funding will be provided in two pools, and applicants have to submit applications by 11:59 p.m. on April 8 for proposals from $5 million to $100 million, and May 27 for proposals from $250,000 to $4,999,999.
