Climate change threatens agricultural production, forest resources and rural economies. NRCS offers a variety of programs, services, resources and tools to help farmers, ranchers, forest landowners and partners pursue voluntary conservation efforts to deliver climate solutions.
Conservation Programs and Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry
NRCS offers financial assistance and one-on-one technical support through voluntary conservation programs. Several NRCS conservation programs directly support climate-smart agriculture and forestry, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Easement Programs and Conservation Technical Assistance. Visit farmers.gov/climate-smart to learn how each program supports climate-smart agriculture and forestry.
State-specific application ranking dates for NRCS programs are available on the NRCS Program Application Ranking Dates webpage.
Producers and landowners should contact the NRCS office at their local USDA Service Center for additional information and one-on-one technical support specific to their working land. USDA Service Centers are in nearly every county across the United States.
If you’re new to working with NRCS, the Conservation at Work Video Series provide examples of conservation practices that may work well for your operation, including options that contribute to climate change mitigation.
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) represents the single largest investment in climate and clean energy solutions in American history.
Publications
- Climate Smart Ag and Forestry Strategy: 90 Day Progress Report
- USDA Action Plan for Climate Adaptation and Resilience
- NRCS Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities List
- NRCS Climate Adaptation Plan
- Fact Sheet: Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry
- Fact Sheet: Climate-Smart Opportunities for Urban and Small-Scale Producers and Communities
Resources, Tools and Data
USDA offers resources, tools and data to support producers, land managers, partners and rural communities in making informed, science-based decisions to support climate change mitigation and build climate resilience. Those delivered by or in partnership with NRCS include:
- USDA Climate Hubs
- National Water and Climate Center
- COMET-Planner Tool
- COMET-Farm Tool
- Conservation at Work Video Series
- Conservation Concerns Tool
More Information
Nutrient Management
Nutrient management maximizes crop-nitrogen uptake and has a compelling and cost-effective role to play in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.