Supporting producers to increase productivity, strengthen markets, and improve climate resilience.
The Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture incentivizes and rewards farmers and ranchers for adopting climate-smart agricultural practices.
Under the three-year, $80-million pilot program, the Alliance and its partners will help producers in Arkansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Virginia prove the value of paying farmers and ranchers $100 per acre or animal unit for stewardship practices — delivering public value through carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas reduction, improved soil health, water quality, water conservation, and other vital ecosystem services. Led by Virginia Tech, the Alliance is supported by USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities with participation from more than 14 state and national partners.
🌾 What Is Climate-Smart Agriculture?
The Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture incentivizes and rewards farmers and ranchers for adopting climate-smart agricultural practices.
Under the three-year, $80-million pilot program, the Alliance and its partners will help producers in Arkansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Virginia prove the value of paying farmers and ranchers $100 per acre or animal unit for stewardship practices — delivering public value through carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas reduction, improved soil health, water quality, water conservation, and other vital ecosystem services.
About the Pilot
Over three years, the Alliance will enroll an estimated 4,400-4,800 operations across Arkansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and Virginia. If scaled up nationally, the program could help producers reduce agricultural emissions by 55% and total emissions in the United States by 8% after 10 years.
Partner States
The pilot is open to producers eligible producers in Arkansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Virginia. Our partners were selected based on their experience and expertise working with producers and landowners, as well as promoting climate-smart commodities.
Staff + Leadership
Find out more about our team, based at Virginia Tech.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to your questions about the pilot including eligibility for farmers and ranchers, approved conservation practices, and Virginia Tech’s research agenda.