News in Brief:
– USDA announces $1.5 billion funding for climate-smart agriculture through Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
– The initiative aims to empower local farmers, enhance conservation efforts, and address climate crisis.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced a $1.5 billion investment for conservation and climate solutions through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
This initiative, aligned with President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, aims to empower farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to adopt climate-smart practices while enhancing natural resources.
The availability of such substantial funding directly impacts local farmers by offering them the means to adopt and expand conservation strategies. By integrating climate-smart agriculture practices, farmers can not only mitigate the effects of climate change but also realise cost savings, explore new revenue streams, and boost productivity.
This injection of funds is expected to support over 180,000 farms and approximately 225 million acres over the next five years, significantly benefiting agricultural communities across the nation.
Expanding opportunities around climate investment
The investment comes from the Farm Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act, it represents the largest climate investment in history. It underscores USDA’s commitment to promoting sustainability and resilience within the agricultural sector.
Furthermore, by streamlining and simplifying the RCPP process, USDA aims to enhance accessibility and effectiveness, ensuring that more conservation initiatives are implemented on the ground.
The funding encompasses two distinct avenues: RCPP Classic and RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA). While RCPP Classic focuses on collaborative projects with producers and communities, RCPP AFA facilitates the development of innovative conservation approaches directly with agricultural producers. Notably, $100 million is reserved for Tribal-led projects, emphasising inclusivity and support for historically underserved communities.
Encouraging participation
The 2024 RCPP funding priorities, including climate-smart agriculture and environmental justice, align closely with President Biden’s broader initiatives, such as the Justice40 Initiative and America the Beautiful initiative. By directing resources towards disadvantaged communities and promoting local conservation efforts, the USDA seeks to foster equitable and sustainable development nationwide.
NRCS encourages proposals from historically underserved entities and Indian tribes, emphasising diversity and inclusivity in conservation efforts. With project proposals accepted through the RCPP portal, interested parties are urged to explore funding opportunities and engage with upcoming webinars for additional information.
