USDA explores the role of climate-smart agriculture in addressing climate change

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) represents a comprehensive approach integrating various farming practices and technologies aimed at mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. This approach includes a range of practices such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, diversified cropping systems, and the use of improved seeds—all designed to enhance productivity using fewer resources. The overarching goal of CSA is to simultaneously reduce emissions, sequester carbon, and enhance resilience, presenting a viable pathway to achieving global climate objectives.

USDA’s strategic investments in climate-smart commodities

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is leading the promotion of CSA through significant investments, including a $3.1 billion initiative under the “Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities” program. This program focuses on fostering the production of climate-smart commodities through advanced technologies and management practices that enhance soil carbon storage and reduce emissions. While the USDA also supports market development for these commodities, the primary focus remains on boosting the supply side.

Climate-smart labeling

In recent years, various CSA labeling and certification programs have emerged aimed at informing consumers about the climate-smart credentials of food products. These programs are crucial in driving consumer demand and supporting the sale of sustainably produced commodities. The private sector’s increasing interest in these certifications highlights a growing commitment to sustainability and the potential market benefits of adopting climate-smart practices.

The proliferation of CSA labels has outstripped the development of corresponding policies and regulations, leading to a landscape where claims are often unverifiable without expert knowledge. This has resulted in a confusing array of terms like “climate-smart,” “low-carbon,” and “climate-positive,” among others. The lack of standardized definitions and robust verification mechanisms undermines consumer trust and poses challenges to producers genuinely committed to sustainable practices.

The current U.S. framework for CSA labeling is predominantly managed through voluntary third-party certifications, which vary in their rigor and verification costs. Some certifications are practice-based, focusing on the implementation of specific agricultural methods, while others are outcomes-based, aimed at achieving specific environmental results such as improved soil health. There is a pressing need for clearer standards and more transparent labeling practices to enhance consumer confidence and support sustainable purchasing decisions.

Funding opportunity for small forest landowners

A new funding opportunity has been introduced for small forest landowners in Western Washington. This initiative, a collaboration between Washington Conservation Action, Northwest Natural Resource Group (NNRG), and Pierce Conservation District, is supported through the USDA Climate-Smart Commodities program.

The program offers direct cost-share assistance to enable private landowners to implement stewardship practices that are designed to increase carbon sequestration, mitigate wildfire risks, and enhance forest resilience to climate change. Eligible activities under this funding include forest management planning, pre-commercial thinning, commercial thinning, post-harvest brush management, climate-adapted species planting, and fuel reduction.

In addition to financial support, the initiative provides landowners with access to technical assistance, trusted contractors, and consulting services for timber harvests. This program also aims to create increased market opportunities for wood products, offering price premiums, among other benefits.

Rural wind power program

Another initiative launched with the support of the CSA program planned to enlist 400 farmers to install wind turbines on their properties. This effort is part of the broader strategy to increase distributed wind power, which is ideally generated at the site of consumption, including farms and local communities. The initiative, known as RAISE (Rural and Agricultural Income & Savings from Renewable Energy), is facilitated by the US Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Energy Department. It aimed to develop new business models that save money and generate revenue through renewable energy.

Despite the slower development of distributed wind compared to small-scale solar systems, new technological advancements and a certification process are expected to boost the adoption of wind turbines across rural America. The RAISE plan will benefit from substantial funding through the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program, bolstered by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to bring underused technologies like distributed wind to the forefront in agriculture.

Expert insights on climate-smart agriculture

Eric Vukicevich, Assistant Professor of Botany at Connecticut College, emphasizes the significance of the USDA’s Climate-Smart Commodities Program. He notes that the program not only supports farmers in adopting climate-smart practices but also integrates cutting-edge tools like the Comet Planner to model greenhouse gas flows, aiding farmers in making informed management decisions. Vukicevich highlights the dual benefits of these practices in enhancing soil organic matter, which improves water retention and nutrient availability, thereby reducing the need for frequent irrigation and fertilizer applications.

«It is important to note, that by far the two most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in the United States are nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4), which have a global warming potential of 298 and 25, respectively. The most prominent sources of these gases in agriculture are soil management, enteric fermentation, and manure management. N2O is released from soils as a natural part of the nitrogen cycle, but it is released in larger amounts when the soil is saturated or nitrogen fertilizers are over-applied. Much of the CH4 comes from enteric fermentation (mainly from dairy and beef cattle) and manure management.

USDA’s Climate-Smart Commodities Program will incentivize participating farmers to fine-tune their operations to minimize the fluxes of these gases out of their systems and sequester more carbon (C), getting technical assistance to do so as well as support University-led and NRCS projects in this area. This program also has a stated dedication to inclusivity, highlighting specifically that a portion of the funding is going to historically disadvantaged farmers as well as feed into historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and to partnerships with tribes.”

Conclusion

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is crucial for the agricultural sector as it enhances sustainability and increases the resilience of farming operations against climate change. By adopting CSA practices, such as improving resource efficiency and increasing biodiversity, agriculture can reduce its environmental impact and ensure long-term productivity. These practices mitigate the effects of climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and promoting carbon sequestration, and they also bring economic benefits. Farmers can reduce input costs, increase crop yields, and access new markets for climate-smart commodities, which may command premium prices.

USDA efforts encourage farmers to develop new business models. Moreover, they support social equity by focusing on inclusive practices that benefit smallholders and disadvantaged farmers, thereby fostering community resilience and reducing rural poverty.