The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has ended the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC) program, a federal initiative launched during the Biden administration that aimed to promote sustainable farming practices through grants. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the decision on Monday, citing high administrative costs and inadequate support for farmers. A review of the program revealed that many partnerships allocated less than half of the federal funds directly to producers, leading to inefficiencies. Rollins emphasized the need for change, noting that bureaucratic hurdles and complex reporting requirements had sidelined farmers and hindered their participation in the program.
This move comes as part of broader efforts to support farmers, particularly on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the Delmarva Peninsula. Earlier this month, Delaware Rep. Sarah McBride introduced a bipartisan bill to provide additional funding to help farmers dealing with avian flu outbreaks. The USDA will replace the canceled program with the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative, which is designed to prioritize direct financial support for farmers. AMP requires that at least 65% of federal funds be allocated directly to producers, with recipients needing to enroll and make payments to producers by the end of 2024. While many current PCSC projects will be discontinued, some partnerships may continue under the new guidelines. The shift aims to streamline administrative processes and ensure that the majority of funds directly benefit farmers.
