WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the cancellation of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC) program, citing excessive administrative costs and inefficiencies as primary concerns. Following an extensive review, the USDA determined that many PCSC projects directed less than half of federal funding to farmers, prompting the agency to streamline its efforts and prioritize direct farmer benefits through a restructured initiative called Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP).
“The Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative was largely built to advance the green new scam at the benefit of NGOs, not American farmers,” stated 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 confirmed that select PCSC projects may continue if they meet specific criteria, including ensuring a substantial portion of funding directly benefits farmers. Under the AMP initiative, reforms are guided by three core priorities:
- A minimum of 65% of federal funds must be allocated directly to producers.
- Partners must enroll at least one producer by December 31, 2024.
- Partners must make at least one payment to producers by the same date.
This overhaul, according to the USDA, will streamline reporting requirements, reduce bureaucracy, and align programs with Trump Administration goals of fostering agricultural growth and efficiency. Farmers are expected to see a significant reduction in the paperwork burden alongside strengthened federal support.
USDA will work directly with current PCSC grant recipients to determine their eligibility under the new program. Eligible expenses incurred prior to April 13, 2025, will be honored. No new funding will be allocated for these initiatives, as the AMP program focuses on enhancing the use of existing resources.
The transition from PCSC to AMP underscores a stronger commitment to “putting farmers first” by targeting federal efforts toward tangible benefits for producers. This shift is poised to usher in a new era of opportunity and prosperity for American agriculture, rooted in more transparent and efficient practices.
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