Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a $72.3 million allocation within the cost-sharing Environmental Quality Incentive Program for activities that boost carbon storage in healthy soil. Vilsack unveiled the initiative during a one-year review of USDA’s Climate Smart program to help meet U.S. pledges to mitigate climate change.
“With today’s announcements, USDA is providing the necessary tools and resources called for under the President’s Climate Action Plan so producers and landowners can successfully create economic opportunity and provide the food, fiber and energy needs of a growing global population,” said Vilsack in a statement.
The Environmental Defense Fund said the USDA’s Climate Smart program “is a huge boost for the environment and for growers’ bottom lines. Collaboration between farmers, ranchers and the private sector is the best way to bring agricultural sustainability to scale.”
Some $300 million in EQIP funds, including the newly earmarked $72 million, will be spent this fiscal year on projects that have climate change benefits, said USDA.