In February 2022, the USDA announced yet another program to promote conservation & climate improvement practices: the Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities. The USDA defines a ‘climate smart commodity’ as any agricultural commodity that is produced using practices that reduce greenhouse gases or sequester carbon. A few of these climate smart practices include: minimum/no till, riparian buffers, cover crops, prescribed grazing, cover crops, etc.

Within project proposals, applicants must address the following topics:

• Plans on how to implement climate-smart practices
• The involvement of small or underserved producers
• Data collection, monitoring, verification, and reporting of climate reports
• Promotion of climate-smart commodities

There are two groups within the funding pool, and one of the application deadlines has already passed. The second funding pool, with applications due on May 27, 2002, will focus on small or underserved producers and/or minority-serving institutions. The awards will range from $250,000 to under $5,000,000. Individuals may not apply for this grant, so it is important to partner with an entity. Awards will be allocated to applicants anywhere in the United States. For assistance, reach out to your local Farm Service Agency. You can find your local office here: https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=in&agency=fsa

Indiana farmland is among some of the most productive in the United States for commodities, organic crops, and other diversity driven crop rotations such as regenerative agriculture. That being said, there are plenty of opportunities within the state to modify practices toward being more environmentally conscious. Climate smart farmland management can be a effective way to improve soil health and ultimately farmland values. If you’re a local producer or landowner and you’re interested in learning more about these practices, you can visit the website for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (a division of the USDA). https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/national/home/

Here at Land Values, we’re committed to educating our community on topics relating to farmland, regenerative farming practices and legacy and long-term landownership. We’re strong believers in the adoption of conservation-centered practices (due to their positive economic impact to both farmers & our land), and we’ve published several other pieces on this topic in the past:

• New Grant Awarded to Purdue University to Study Agricultural Crop Diversification & the Effects on Soil Health & Water Quality
• The Culture of Indiana Cover Crops
• Three Way to Boost Soil Health on Your Farm
• Sustainable Agriculture

Farmers and Landowners are arguably the most important and impactful stewards of our land. We applaud your efforts and are thankful for your contributions (to both our bellies and mother earth).

More Land Value.

Since 1977, Geswein Farm & Land Real Estate Brokers have helped farm families, investors, and landowners through advising, management, selling, and buying land. If you’re considering a farm sale through listing or auction, there’s never been a better time. Land values are at historically high levels.

Information has been gathered from sources deemed reliable but not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice. The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and not to be construed as tax or legal advice. Always seek the advice of an attorney for the legal or tax consequences of a transaction and/or related transactions.

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