USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said tackling climate change can boost farm revenue through the adoption of climate-smart practices. During a recent event, he highlighted the potential of sustainable aviation fuel which could consequently double the biofuel industry size. Vilsack expressed confidence in the agriculture industry reaching net-zero emissions before many other major industries.
Under USDA, the climate-smart initiative has expanded to $3.1 billion, having received around 1,000 project applications. Vilsack commented this isn’t solely about climate change, but also farm income and safeguarding opportunities for smaller producers.
But there has been political resistance. Vilsack’s use of a $30-billion CCC fund (for crop and conservation payments) to launch the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative has drawn opposition. The Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee voted to limit Vilsack’s access to this fund, with provisions included in the annual USDA/FDA spending bill, which may face a floor vote soon. In addition, three Republican senators proposed a bill to restrict fund withdrawals without Congress’s specific authorization.
As noted earlier this week, the Biden administration will allocate $300 million to enhance the accuracy of measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration associated with climate-smart agriculture and forestry. This, according to Vilsack, will serve as a critical link between farming practices and markets willing to pay for demonstrated greenhouse gas and carbon reductions.
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