The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has canceled a $3 billion program that was made to help farmers use climate-friendly methods. This program, called the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, started during President Biden’s time. It was part of a larger plan to fight climate change by helping farmers lower their greenhouse gas emissions.
The decision to cancel it is part of a new plan under President Trump to cut back on climate programs started by the last government.
What Was the Program All About?
The USDA’s climate program gave money to 141 projects across the country. These projects were supposed to help farmers use better farming methods.
Some of the ideas included planting cover crops, which help stop soil from washing away, and using fewer chemicals that harm the environment.
The Biden administration said the program would help over 60,000 farms and cut about 60 million metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2050. That’s the same as taking 12 million gas cars off the road for a year.
The projects worked with farmers, companies like Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM), and groups that support crops like soybeans and rice.
Why It Was Canceled
The Trump administration said the program gave too much money to office work and not enough to actual farmers. A review showed that many projects used less than half of their money on farmers and spent the rest on paperwork, planning, or staff.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the program didn’t work well for real farmers. He said it was full of red tape and confusing rules. Rollins said some projects were built to help groups like non-profits, not the farmers who do the hard work every day.
He said the program had “ambiguous goals,” meaning it wasn’t always clear what the projects were trying to do. Farmers had to fill out a lot of paperwork, and that kept many from joining in.
In his words, “the green new scam” helped big organizations more than small farmers, saying:
“The Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative was largely built to advance the green new scam at the benefit of NGOs, not American farmers.”
The USDA said only some projects might continue. But they have to show that at least 65% of the money will go to farmers and that they’ve already paid a farmer by December 31, 2024. Otherwise, they will have to reapply under a new version of the program.
Supporters of the Program: Environmental and Economic Benefits
People who liked the program said it helped both farmers and the environment. The goal was to help farmers take care of their land and lower pollution from their farms. Better soil health, less erosion, and fewer chemicals can make farming more sustainable in the long term.
Supporters also said climate-smart farming could help farmers prepare for climate change, which brings more droughts, floods, and bad weather. They believed the program would help farmers be more successful and protect the planet at the same time.
A Part of a Bigger Climate Cutback
This is not the only program being cut. The Trump administration is also trying to remove or reduce other climate programs, including a $20 billion fund for projects that lower greenhouse gases. Many of these programs were started under President Biden as part of his climate plan.
The decision shows how different the two administrations are when it comes to climate change. Biden’s team wanted to invest in cleaner farming and green energy. Trump’s team is more focused on cutting costs, removing rules, and supporting traditional farming methods.
Some Projects May Still Move Forward
Even though the program is canceled, not all projects will stop. The USDA said projects that already sent money to farmers and use most of their funding for farming can still move forward. They must meet the new rules, like using at least 65% of the money for farm work.
There may also be a new version of the program that keeps the focus on farmers. If so, some groups can apply again and try to get funding. The USDA wants future programs to give more direct help to farmers and spend less on office work.
What This Move Means for Farmers and the Climate
Many farmers and environmental groups are worried. They say this could slow down progress on climate-friendly farming. Without government help, some farmers may not be able to afford new methods or tools that are better for the environment.
Agriculture is one of the areas most affected by climate change. As weather becomes more extreme, it can hurt crops and reduce food supply. Many experts believe helping farmers go green now can save money and protect food systems later.
Moreover, farming is a big part of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. and around the world. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), agriculture made up about 10% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2022.
These emissions mostly come from methane released by animals like cows, nitrous oxide from fertilizers, and carbon dioxide from machines and land use changes.
Globally, the food and agriculture sector accounts for about ⅓ of total emissions, according to the United Nations. Cutting these emissions is important for fighting climate change, and programs like the one that was canceled were made to help farmers lower their impact.
A Changing Path for Climate and Farming
The end of this $3 billion program marks a big change in how the U.S. government supports climate action in farming. Some projects may continue, but the future is unclear.
The decision is part of a larger debate in the country about how much money should go toward fighting climate change, and how that money should be spent. What comes next will depend on how new programs are shaped and how much support farmers get to take care of their land while fighting the effects of climate change.
