The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) marked a milestone in its Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative during a gathering in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This program aims to enhance markets for commodities produced through climate-smart methods, aiding farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in adopting practices that improve soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
At the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Learning Network meeting, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack underscored the initiative's achievements. "Through our Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, we are working to create an economy that supports rural communities, meets global demand for renewable and climate-smart goods, and achieves our climate goals," he stated.
Since its inception in September 2022, the USDA has invested $3.03 billion into 135 projects under this initiative. These projects have connected over 14,000 farms to new markets and incentives while enrolling more than 3.2 million acres of land into climate-smart practices. The effort has led to the sequestration of over 400,000 metric tons of carbon.
In Pennsylvania alone, 29 projects are underway with federal funding exceeding $907 million. These projects aim to implement climate-smart practices across various commodities while benefiting small and underserved producers.
Among highlighted projects is one led by Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship in central Pennsylvania using a tool called PaddockTrac to manage herds sustainably. Another project by the Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture involves over 20 farming organizations focusing on producing climate-smart fruits and vegetables.
Secretary Vilsack also noted efforts like those by Farm Journal expanding markets for specialty crops and livestock through sustainable practices and technical support.
Nationally recognized projects include the Iowa Soybean Association’s Midwest Climate-Smart Community Program with over 1,800 farms enrolled and TH Cattle Company's initiative rewarding livestock producers for sustainable grazing practices.
The USDA first announced this opportunity in February 2022 after receiving input from over 400 comments in a prior request for information. Since then, it has received proposals totaling over $20 billion from more than 500 groups.
The USDA continues to work under the Biden-Harris Administration towards transforming America's food system with a focus on resilience, fairer markets, safe food access, new income streams through climate-smart practices, infrastructure investments in rural areas, and promoting equity within its operations.
