The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia wants to remind partners the deadline to apply for the first round of funding through the new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities is Friday, May 6. This funding pool includes large-scale proposals from $5 million to $100 million that emphasize the greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity production, and include direct, meaningful benefits to a representative cross-section of production agriculture, including small and/or historically underserved producers.
“Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity. These pilot projects will create and expand market opportunities for U.S. agricultural and forestry products that use climate-smart practices,” said NRCS State Conservationist in Georgia, Terrance O. Rudolph. “We want a broad array of agriculture and forestry producers and landowners to see themselves in this effort.”
Applicants with proposals from $250,000 to $4,999,999 have until June 10, 2022, to apply for the second funding pool. These innovative pilot projects should place an emphasis on the enrollment of small and/or underserved producers, and/or monitoring, reporting and verification activities developed at minority-serving institutions.
For the purposes of this funding opportunity, a climate-smart commodity is defined as an agricultural commodity that is produced using agricultural (farming, ranching or forestry) practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon. Funding will be provided to partners through the USDA Commodity Credit Corporation.
Visit usda.gov for additional information, including details on Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities and resources to support your application.