USDA launches new farmer focused funding program

USDA ends climate program starts AMP plan

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has officially ended the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC), citing high administrative costs and a lack of direct support for farmers. The review found that in many cases, less than half of federal funding went to producers. Moving forward, only select projects will continue if they show that most funding supports farmers. 

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the move as part of a larger reform. These changes are part of a shift toward the new Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative, designed to support farmers more directly. 

The USDA has laid out three clear requirements for current and future participants in the AMP program: 

• At least 65% of federal funds must directly support producers. 

• Each grant must have at least one enrolled farmer by December 31, 2024. 

• Each grant must have made at least one payment to a farmer by the same date. 

“The Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative was largely built to advance the green new scam at the benefit of NGOs, not American farmers,” said Secretary Rollins. “The concerns of farmers took a backseat during the Biden Administration. During my short time as Secretary, I have heard directly from our farmers that many of the USDA partnerships are overburdened by red tape, have ambiguous goals, and require complex reporting that push farmers onto the sidelines. We are correcting these mistakes and redirecting our efforts to set our farmers up for an unprecedented era of prosperity.” 

The USDA will reach out to existing grant holders with specific guidance. Expenses made before April 13, 2025, will still be eligible. No new funding will be provided, but reforms will use available funds more efficiently. 

This change marks a new era of support where farmers are prioritized and red tape is reduced, aiming for a simpler, more impactful system. 

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