The USDA is ending the Climate-Smart Commodities program, which helped farmers implement practices to protect the Chesapeake Bay.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has canceled its $3 billion Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC) program, a move that significantly impacts conservation efforts in Maryland counties. This program supported numerous initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving soil health through practices like cover cropping, no-till farming, and nutrient management. In Maryland, 26 PCSC projects were underway, involving 50 commodities and 88 farming practices, with a combined budget of $812.5 million. These projects were instrumental in helping farmers adapt to climate change and in protecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The termination of the PCSC program has left many organizations and farmers in Maryland uncertain about the future of their conservation efforts. USDA has stated that some projects may continue under a new initiative, Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP), but only if at least 65% of the funds go directly to farmers. This new criterion has raised concerns, as technical assistance costs—crucial for implementing conservation practices—are not counted toward this threshold, potentially disqualifying many existing projects.
The abrupt policy shift has broader implications for Maryland’s environmental goals, particularly in counties relying on federal support for sustainable agriculture and water quality improvement. With the uncertainty surrounding the continuation of these projects under the new AMP initiative, Maryland counties will likely face renewed challenges in maintaining progress toward climate resilience and Chesapeake Bay restoration.