Collaboration Key to Success of New USDA Climate-Smart Agriculture Initiative

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced plans for the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Partnership Initiative.

As they move forward with development, it’s crucial USDA works with existing private sector markets. However, the support should not duplicate efforts, nor should a federal program facilitate transactions of carbon sequestration payments to producers.

Instead, leaders of this proposed program should consult farmer participants and private sector leaders to identify needs and barriers to scaling up these efforts. These collaborative efforts will help producer...