The National Association of Conservation Districts is one of 70 partners selected to participate in USDA’s Climate-Smart Commodities Program.
The NACD will receive a grant of up to $90 million over three years for technical, financial, and marketing assistance.
The association intends to advance grassroots efforts that ensure producers and local communities are prepared to meet growing demand and have access to climate-smart commodity markets.
The NACD’s goal is to leave no producer behind. “We’re thrilled about the opportunity to invest in local communities through the Climate-Smart Commodities Program,” says NACD President Michael Crowder. “We know that producers are more likely to implement climate-smart practices if transition risks are minimized and they have ready access to profitable market opportunities.”
Roughly 70 percent of land in the lower 48 states is privately owned, which means implementing sound conservation practices relies on individual producers. This assistance will support producers in making sound conservation decisions.