Climate-Smart Agriculture program accepting applications - Bismarck Tribune

Climate-Smart Agriculture program accepting applications

A 30-day application window opened Wednesday for a national pilot program that will compensate farmers and ranchers for implementing high-value conservation practices on their land.

North Dakota Farmers Union is serving as the state lead for the Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture. The three-year project is funded through a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant that will pay out a total of $57 million in 2024 and 2025 to roughly 4,000 producers in North Dakota, Arkansas, Minnesota and Virginia.

Producers who are accepted will earn $100 per acre or animal unit to adopt or maintain practices that curb global-warming greenhouse gas emissions. The project is limited to 160 acres or animal units per producer, for a maximum payout of $16,000 annually.

Seven soil conservation districts in North Dakota are participating, with a goal of enrolling 450 producers in Billings, Cass, Foster, McKenzie, Mercer, Rolette, Stark or Ward counties.

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To enroll or get more information, go to allianceforcsa.org or contact the local soil conservation district. The deadline to apply is March 21.