SDSU, with its West River Research and Extension in Rapid City, S.D., is leading research on climate-smart grazing and land management practices for beef and bison production. How this latest move from Trump’s USDA will affect that is unknown
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The USDA is overhauling the Biden-era Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities Program.
The department says the initiative, renamed Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP), has been reformed to align with the current administration’s priorities.
Laurie Fischer with the American Dairy Coalition says USDA’s increased emphasis on climate-smart funding directed to farmers is good news.
“They’re looking for as many opportunities as they can to be protective to the environment, but also they have to be able to cash flow,” she says.
What this will mean to multi-million dollar projects throughout South Dakota, (including near Sturgis, S.D.) remains to be seen. These climate-smart agriculture initiatives are focused on improving ranch and farm productivity and reducing environmental impact through practices like soil health management, cover cropping, and reduced tillage. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is involved in promoting these practices, and research at South Dakota State University (SDSU) is exploring farmers’ and ranchers’ willingness to participate in carbon programs.
Here’s a more detailed look:
Climate-Smart Agriculture in Sturgis: Sturgis, like the rest of South Dakota, is heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly in terms of livestock (cattle and bison) and crop production (corn, soybeans, wheat). Climate-smart agriculture aims to improve the sustainability of these systems while also mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Soil Health: A key aspect of climate-smart agriculture is improving soil health, which can be achieved through practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, and proper nutrient management.
Carbon Programs and Farmer Participation: Research is underway to understand why only a small percentage of farmers and ranchers choose to participate in carbon programs that offer incentives for adopting climate-smart practices.
Research and Extension: SDSU, with its West River Research and Extension in Rapid City, S.D., is leading research on climate-smart grazing and land management practices for beef and bison production.
Market Opportunities: Efforts are being made to create market opportunities for producers who utilize climate-smart practices, such as developing markets for climate-smart beef and bison.
NRCS Involvement: The NRCS is actively involved in promoting and supporting climate-smart agriculture in South Dakota through various programs and funding opportunities.
- Developing Resilient Beef and Bison Commodities Goals. The long-term goal of this project is to develop market opportunities for live beef and bison commodities that are produced…South Dakota State University
- $80 million Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Initiative … “Investments at this level in research are vital to helping solve the complex issues of today.”
- Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Project
Partnerships: The USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Initiative involves numerous partners, including universities, industry organizations, and agricultural groups, to advance climate-smart practices on a large scale.
Fischer tells Brownfield it’s unclear how USDA will determine if grants dedicate enough funding to producers.
“This, I’m hoping isn’t going to slow down that process, but maybe streamline this process?” she says. “We look forward to anything that we can get in the hands of dairy farmers as far as sustainability and trying to improve their return on investment.”
She says many questions remain about the future of some projects that involve others in the food supply chain or building new infrastructure, like manure digesters.
USDA says it will review existing grant agreements based on three Farm First policy priorities:
- A minimum of 65 percent of federal funds must go to producers
- Grant recipients must have enrolled at least one producer as of December 31, 2024
- Grant recipients must have made a payment to at least one producer as of December 31, 2024.
Secretary Rollins says the program was largely built to advance the “green new scam” at the benefit of NGOs (Non-governmental organizations) not farmers.
Funds for the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program have been frozen while the program has been under review. The USDA says it will honor all eligible expenses incurred prior to April 13, 2025.
Rollins made the announcement as part of a visit to a Pennsylvania dairy farm.
