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Vilsack announces $300M climate-smart ag investment

The Biden administration has announced $300 million to more accurately measure greenhouse gas emissions from the ag and forestry sectors.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the investment is part of a broader federal strategy to tackle the climate crisis.

“We need to have accurate and reliable measurements of the impact and effect of the changes and practices we are embracing,” he said. “We get those from constantly monitoring those practices and making sure we are reporting them and verifying those results.”

Vilsack says USDA plans to expand data management, infrastructure, and capacity, and improve NRCS conservation practice standards.

He says the goal is a 50-to-52% reduction in emissions by 2030. “By doing this investment now, I think it’s fair to say American agriculture and forestry will be unmatched anywhere in the world in terms of our leadership in climate innovation.”

The funds will be allocated from the Inflation Reduction Act.