The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made funds available for agricultural producers and forest landowners nationwide to take part in voluntary conservation initiatives and implement climate-smart practices, according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the USDA received an additional $19.5 billion over five years under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to support climate-wise agriculture.
For its oversubscribed conservation programs, including the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), NRCS is making $850 million available in the fiscal year 2023.
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Vilsack, who spoke on Monday at the National Association of Conservation Districts annual meeting, said: “The Inflation Reduction Act provided a once-in-a-generation investment in conservation on working lands, and we want to work with agricultural and forest landowners to invest in climate-smart practices that create value and economic opportunity for producers.”
Speaking further, he said, “We know that agriculture plays a critical role in the nation’s effort to address climate change, we’re using this funding to bolster our existing programs, maximize climate benefits, and foster other environmental benefits across the landscape,”.
Story was adapted from USDA.
