USDA terminates $3.1 billion Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, leaving farmers unreimbursed

Image courtesy of USDA

The USDA has terminated its $3.1 billion Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, forcing Wisconsin organizations to cancel farmer contracts for sustainable practices. Secretary Brooke Rollins cited excessive administrative fees as the reason. The program has been rebranded as Advancing Markets for Producers. Organizations can reapply if 65% of funds go directly to farmers. Wisconsin had 29 projects worth $1 billion affected. Groups like Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance report months of unreimbursed expenses and worry that farmer trust has been damaged. Many producers had already planned spring plantings based on now-canceled contracts.