“USDA said-- following a thorough line by line review of each of these Biden era partnerships, it became clear that the majority of these projects had sky-high administration fees which in many instances provided less than half of the federal funding directly to farmers.”
"Select projects may continue if it is demonstrated that a significant amount of the federal funds awarded will go to farmers.”
"USDA will review existing grant agreements based on three Farmer First policy priorities:
-- A minimum of 65% of federal funds must go to producers;
-- Grant recipients must have enrolled at least one producer as of 12/31/2024; and
-- Grant recipients must have made a payment to at least one producer as of 12/31/2024.
"We continue to support farmers and encourage partners to ensure their projects are farmer focused or re-apply to continue work that is aligned with the priorities of this Administration."
"Additionally, we have reformed and overhauled the Biden-era Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities initiative into the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative, and the USDA has identified changes to align the initiative with current Trump Administration priorities.”
“USDA will contact current partners individually to provide information about their future participation. USDA will honor all eligible expenses incurred prior to April 13, 2025.
“This reform effort will utilize existing funding, with no new funding made available for these partnerships.”
Click Here for the USDA announcement.
$911 Million Impact
In 2024, the USDA said the Climate-Smart Commodities program would invest $911 million in federal funding in Pennsylvania to support projects that include Pennsylvania, producers and landowners can enroll in one of the 30 projects taking place in the state, covering 48 major commodities and 102 climate-smart and supporting practices.
Click Here for a USDA fact sheet.
PASA Sustainable Agriculture
Lancaster Farming reported a $55 million Climate-Smart Commodities grant for PASA Sustainable Agriculture to serve farmers on the East Coast was frozen previously resulting in the furlough of most of its staff.
Resource Links:
-- Lancaster Farming: USDA Cancels Partnership For Climate-Smart Commodities Grants [Climate Projects Tied To PA Got $900 Million]
-- USDA Cancels Partnerships For Climate-Smart Commodities https://tinyurl.com/436uhh3x $911 Million Total Impact In PA
-- USDA Fact Sheet On Climate-Smart Commodities In PA - $911 Million Total Impact [2024]
-- PASA Sustainable Agriculture Begins Staff Furloughs; Federal Funding To Support Farmers Still Frozen
-- National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Responds To Ending Climate-Smart Commodities Program
Related Articles This Week:
-- PA Abandoned Mine Reclamation Conference Oct. 14-16 In State College; Sponsorships, Exhibit Space Available [PaEN]
-- USDA Cancels Partnership For Climate-Smart Commodities Grants; Up To $911 Million Impact On Pennsylvania Farmers [PaEN]
-- Sen. Yaw Introduces ‘Skill’ Gambling Games Regulation Bill Directing Some Revenue To Clean Streams Fund [PaEN]
-- Penn State Extension Water Cooler Talk: April 30 - Small Pennsylvania Watershed, Big Impact - Restoration Of Halfmoon Creek, Centre County [PaEN]
-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Highlights Updated Water Quality Maps; Natural Gas Water Use Report; Impact Of Federal Cuts [PaEN]
-- USGS PA Water Science Center Highlights New Interactive Water Quality Dashboards; Drought Monitoring Network; PFAS Aquatic Exposure Effects [PaEN]
-- CBF: Pollen Explosion Sometimes Creates Strange Green/Yellow Slicks On Waters In Chesapeake Bay Watershed [PaEN]
-- Citizen Scientists Help Toads Cross The Road In Roxborough Neighborhood Of Philadelphia; 22,000 Toads Saved Over 16 Years [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Lancaster Farming: USDA Cancels Partnership For Climate-Smart Commodities Grants [Climate Projects Tied To PA Got $900 Million]
-- LancasterOnline: USDA Secretary Says Agency Plans Farmer Aid Program To Combat Tariff Turmoil During Lancaster County Stop
-- York Daily Record: USDA Secretary Defends President’s Policies During Lebanon County Farm Tour
-- Williamsport Sun: Beaver Dams Can Improve Watersheds In PA; Freshwater Institute, Susquehanna University
-- Williamsport Sun: Sen. Yaw To State: Make Stream ‘Cleaning’ [Dredging] Easier
-- TribLive: Proposed Stormwater Fee Draws Concerns From Allegheny Twp. Residents, Business Owners In Westmoreland
[Posted: April 14, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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