The U.S. Department of Agriculture will spend up to $2.8 billion in 70 selected projects under the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity.

The 70 selected projects are the first pool in the funding opportunity, a Sept. 14 USDA news release said. Projects from the second funding pool will be announcement later in the year.

“There is strong and growing interest in the private sector and among consumers for food that is grown in a climate-friendly way,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the release. “Through today’s announcement of initial selections for the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, USDA is delivering on our promise to build and expand these market opportunities for American agriculture and be global leaders in climate-smart agricultural production."

Vilsack said earlier this year that the USDA allotted $1 billion for the initiative, split into two funding pools. The Biden-Harris administration reportedly increased the total funding allocation to more than $3 billion, with the release reported.

"This effort will increase the competitive advantage of U.S. agriculture both domestically and internationally, build wealth that stays in rural communities and support a diverse range of producers and operation types,” Vilsack said in the release.

The increase was in response to the program's “unprecedented demand and interest” as well as “the potential for meaningful opportunities to benefit producers through the proposals," according to the release.