Happy Earth Day to our USDA Clients in Rhode Island Leading the Way with Climate Change Solutions

Farmers are also uniquely positioned to deliver climate-change solutions by implementing Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities on their operations. And now these activities are not only supported by Farm Bill funding, but also supported by additional funding from the Inflation Reduction Act.

The Inflation Reduction Act represents the single largest investment in climate and clean energy solutions in American history. It provides an additional $19.5 billion to existing Farm Bill funds to help support USDA's conservation programs that yield climate mitigation benefits while building resilience to climate change in agricultural operations. These activities conserve natural resources, build healthier soils, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and sequester carbon.

And the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is enabling USDA to get more financial assistance to our clients for conservation than ever before. This year, NRCS funded over 45,000 conservation contracts nationwide totaling over $2.8 billion in financial assistance to farmers for conservation efforts, more than any year in our 89-year history. This includes 45 IRA conservation contracts totaling $481,475 to improve 3,631 acres in Rhode Island.

On Earth Day we recognize our farmers, growers, ranchers and forest landowners who are investing in climate solutions to ensure a prosperous agricultural future for generations to come. And NRCS has more funding available to help our Ocean State farmers improve climate resilience. Our third conservation program signup for EQIP-IRA, IRA EQIP Combustion System and Energy Initiative Act Now, CSP Classic, conservation easements (ACEP), Rhode Island RCPP projects, and Sakonnet River NWQI is open until May 17, 2024.

Call NRCS Rhode Island today to see how we can help you help your land!

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