USDA Climate SMART Grant Makes Three New Programs Possible

The USDA is investing in partnerships that are creating more opportunities for farmers to implement or continue climate-smart practices through the USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Project. Following a successful application, Truterra was selected to receive funding. As a result, Truterra is now offering programs for farmers and retailers to continue laying the groundwork for future conservation growth in the agriculture sector under our project: Climate SMART.
 
Truterra is thrilled to offer three funding opportunities for our retailer network and farmers: conservation agronomy support to farmers through Truterra network provider locations, financial assistance to qualified farmers making agronomic practice changes, and financial assistance rewarding early adopters of climate-smart practices.
 
Conservation Agronomist Program
 
Implementing new climate-smart practices is no minor undertaking for farmers. It helps to have dedicated specialists who can focus on making conservation agronomy work at the farm level. Through the conservation agronomist program, Truterra will award funding to successful Truterra network provider applicants, enabling them to hire and integrate a conservation agronomist into their team. This conservation agronomist will provide climate-smart education and support to farmers in their service area.
 
The funding opportunity helps address financial barriers for Truterra network providers, paving the way for the hiring of conservation agronomists and making conservation agronomy commonplace in ag retail. This funding can help meet the demand to grow these services as the sector sees continued maturity. Additionally, the conservation agronomist funding opportunity seeks to help Truterra network providers attract and retain local talent, helping to ensure access to the technical expertise required to help farmers plan, make, and maintain new conservation agronomy practices in their fields. Newly appointed conservation agronomist positions made possible through this funding opportunity are expected to be deployed at during the summer of 2024.
 
Conservation agronomists may help to expand Truterra network provider’s service offerings and market opportunities for farmers, allowing Truterra network providers to come to the farm gate with a point of difference that can help drive farm income while reducing risk.
 
Truterra^® financial assistance – a USDA-supported program
 
Any major change on a farm comes with risk. Truterra^® financial assistance – a USDA-supported program – was created to help reduce that risk, allowing farmers to try conservation agronomy practices on a smaller scale with financial support. The initial program launch is providing financial assistance on nearly 15,000 acres across the country, with additional funding planned for release in summer 2024.
 
This program helps farmers experience the potential agronomic, economic, and environmental benefits that can come from implementing conservation agronomy practices, such as strip-/no-till or cover crops. New program enrollment will be available in the summer of 2024 to provide financial assistance for farmers to implement no-till or adding cover crops to their 2025 crop. This program is foundational to Truterra’s vision to meet farmers where they’re at by providing hand-in-hand technical and financial assistance for new on-farm practices. In addition, farmers have the potential to maximize their revenues by dual-enrolling eligible fields in the Truterra^® carbon program.
 
Truterra^® early adopter – a USDA-supported program
 
Early adopters of soil health practices have historically been left out of the game when it comes to marketplace opportunities. Through Climate SMART, we are excited to offer funding for early adopters that rewards their early-adoption of, and continued dedication to, conservation practices. This program will be launched in select geographies in summer 2024 with additional geographies planned to be released throughout 2024 and 2025. Additionally, Truterra is pleased to offer a privately funded carbon program that includes eligibility for long-term adopters. Eligible farmers have the opportunity to enroll the same field in both the Truterra^® carbon program and the Truterra^® early adopter – a USDA-supported program, helping to maximize their revenue potential.
 
Looking To The Future
 
The Truterra Climate SMART project will continue to make an impact over the next four years with a goal to reduce 6.9 million metric tons of CO_2e by 2028. In addition to atmospheric carbon reduction, this initiative will help make conservation agronomy more accessible and provide potential new value to farmers.
 
Contact your local Truterra network provider to learn more about program opportunities or conservation practices that may make sense for your farm.
 
Visit Truterraag.com/Enroll and complete a 30-second pre-enrollment form to explore potential new sustainability programs for each of your fields. For more information related to Truterra’s USDA-supported offerings, visit Truterraag.com/USDA-Climate-Smart
 
THIS MATERIAL IS BASED UPON WORK SUPPORTED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, UNDER AGREEMENT NO. NR233A750004G016. USDA is an equal opportunity employer, lender, and provider.
 
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