Collaboration key to success of new USDA climate-smart agriculture initiative

With the Biden administration focused on addressing climate change, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced plans for the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Partnership Initiative.

As they move forward with development, it’s crucial USDA works with existing private sector markets. However, the support should not duplicate efforts, nor should a federal program facilitate transactions of carbon sequestration payments to producers.

Instead, leaders of this proposed program should consult farmer participants and private-sector leaders to identify needs and barriers to scaling up...