U.S. Department of Agriculture accepting applications for $1 billion Climate-Smart Commodities program

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BlogThe U.S. Department of Agriculture is currently accepting applications for the $1 billion Climate-Smart Commodities program to assist producers implementing climate-smart practices on working lands.U.S. Department of Agriculture accepting applications for $1 billion Climate-Smart Commodities program
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Blog
U.S. Department of Agriculture accepting applications for $1 billion Climate-Smart Commodities program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is currently accepting applications for the $1 billion Climate-Smart Commodities program to assist producers implementing climate-smart practices on working lands. The program will fund pilot projects that reduce greenhouse gases and/or carbon sequestration on farms or ranches, or within forestry practices. USDA recently held a webinar on the program for eligible applicants, including counties, and also extended the application deadline. Applications for the first funding pool ($5 million to $100 million projects) are due on April 8, and applications for the second funding pool ($250,000 to under $5 million projects) are due on May 27. To view the Notice of Funding Opportunity, click here.
The Climate-Smart Commodities program will fund projects for counties, small businesses and other eligible applicants to implement agricultural or forestry practices that include, but are not limited to:
- Cover crops
- Low-till or no-till
- Nutrient management
- Enhanced efficiency fertilizers
- Manure management
- Feed management to reduce enteric emissions
- Buffers, wetland and grassland management, and tree planting on working lands
- Agroforestry and afforestation on working lands
- Afforestation/reforestation and sustainable forest management
- Planting for high carbon sequestration rate
- Maintaining and improving forest soil quality
- Increase on-site carbon storage through forest stand management
- Alternate wetting and drying on rice fields
- Climate-smart pasture practices, such as prescribed grazing or legume interseeding
- Soil amendments, like biochar
USDA anticipates funding to be available as early as summer 2022 and projects may be between 1-5 years. For more information on the program, visit the program page or view the FAQs.
Agriculture and related agribusiness remain a vital part of the U.S. economy and are a major contributor to economic activity throughout the world. As stewards of the environment, counties support agricultural reforms that will protect and improve the health of the environment of all Americans through the promotion of environmental stewardship and conservation.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is currently accepting applications for the $1 billion Climate-Smart Commodities program to assist producers implementing climate-smart practices on working lands.2022-03-15Blog2022-03-15
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is currently accepting applications for the $1 billion Climate-Smart Commodities program to assist producers implementing climate-smart practices on working lands. The program will fund pilot projects that reduce greenhouse gases and/or carbon sequestration on farms or ranches, or within forestry practices. USDA recently held a webinar on the program for eligible applicants, including counties, and also extended the application deadline. Applications for the first funding pool ($5 million to $100 million projects) are due on April 8, and applications for the second funding pool ($250,000 to under $5 million projects) are due on May 27. To view the Notice of Funding Opportunity, click here.
The Climate-Smart Commodities program will fund projects for counties, small businesses and other eligible applicants to implement agricultural or forestry practices that include, but are not limited to:
- Cover crops
- Low-till or no-till
- Nutrient management
- Enhanced efficiency fertilizers
- Manure management
- Feed management to reduce enteric emissions
- Buffers, wetland and grassland management, and tree planting on working lands
- Agroforestry and afforestation on working lands
- Afforestation/reforestation and sustainable forest management
- Planting for high carbon sequestration rate
- Maintaining and improving forest soil quality
- Increase on-site carbon storage through forest stand management
- Alternate wetting and drying on rice fields
- Climate-smart pasture practices, such as prescribed grazing or legume interseeding
- Soil amendments, like biochar
USDA anticipates funding to be available as early as summer 2022 and projects may be between 1-5 years. For more information on the program, visit the program page or view the FAQs.
Agriculture and related agribusiness remain a vital part of the U.S. economy and are a major contributor to economic activity throughout the world. As stewards of the environment, counties support agricultural reforms that will protect and improve the health of the environment of all Americans through the promotion of environmental stewardship and conservation.

About Aaliyah Nedd (Full Bio)
Associate Legislative Director – Agriculture & Rural Affairs | Immigration Reform Task Force
Aaliyah serves as serves as the associate legislative director supporting NACo’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committees, as well as the Immigration Reform Task Force. She is responsible for providing legislative support for the legislative director, conducting legislative research, as well as writing and editing blog articles.More from Aaliyah Nedd
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Agriculture & Rural Affairs Steering Committee
Responsible for all matters pertaining to USDA agriculture, rural development programs, rural renewable energy development, research and extension, food safety, and conservation programs. Policy Platform 2021-2022 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to USDA agriculture, rural development programs, rural renewable energy development, research and extension, food safety, and conservation programs. </p>
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Environment, Energy & Land Use Steering Committee
Responsible for all matters pertaining to air, water, energy, and land use, including water resources/management, stormwater, pesticides, air quality standards, solid, hazardous, and nuclear waste handling, transport, and disposal, national energy policy, renewable/alternative energy, alternative fuel vehicles, energy facility siting, electricity utility restructuring, pipeline safety, oil spills, superfund/brownfields, eminent domain, land use, coastal management, oceans, parks and recreation.pagepagepage<p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to air, water, energy, and land use, including water resources/management, stormwater, pesticides, air quality standards, solid, hazardous, and nuclear waste handling, transport, and disposal,
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Contact
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Associate Legislative Director – Agriculture & Rural Affairs | Immigration Reform Task Force(202) 661-8833
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Associate Legislative Director – Environment, Energy & Land Use(202) 942-4254
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