Farmers grow a climate for future needs
Fifty years after the creation of National Agriculture Day, which was observed this week, America’s farmers, ranchers and private forestland owners find themselves on the front lines of climate change. They are uniquely positioned to deliver solutions by implementing climate-smart production practices that conserve natural resources, build healthier soils, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and sequester carbon.
This is a moment to recognize the producers who are the best stewards of our land. America’s producers are not only providing food, forage and fiber for today — they are investing in climate solutions that will ensure a prosperous agricultural future for generations to come. They are growing a climate for tomorrow, for our state, our nation and our world.
Here in Pennsylvania, there are 90,461 agricultural producers operating 53,157 farms on 7.2 million acres of productive land. The average size of an agricultural operation in Pennsylvania is 137 acres. Our major ag products are corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, nursery and greenhouse products along with dairy, poultry and cattle with a total market value over $7.75 billion. These producers are important to Pennsylvania’s economy and our environment.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is growing a climate for success for all people involved in farming, ranching and private forest land management. We are working to create an equitable and climate-smart food and agriculture economy built to support both rural and urban communities and empower Pennsylvania producers who feed the world; improve the health, nutrition, and quality of life of all Americans; and yield healthy lands, forests, and clean water. From crop insurance to farm loans, and from conservation to disaster assistance, USDA programs are helping producers conserve natural resources and keep families farming for future generations.
At the national level, the Inflation Reduction Act represents the largest investment in climate and clean energy solutions in U.S. history. This is a historic investment and opportunity for this country and the agricultural communities that USDA serves.
The IRA will help producers stay on the farm and be eligible for future assistance. It provides $3.1 billion for USDA to provide relief for distressed borrowers with at risk agricultural operations, $2.2 billion in financial assistance for farmers who have experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs,
The IRA will promote climate-smart agriculture by increasing access to conservation assistance. It directs about $20 billion to support USDA’s conservation programs that yield climate-related benefits while building resilience in agricultural operations.
USDA is committed to implementing the IRA quickly and effectively to give farmers, ranchers and private forestland owners the tools and resources they need to keep their operations productive and on climate change’s front lines.
But USDA can only succeed in its mission to help American agriculture thrive if it ensures that the Americans who need its services most receive them. Equity is central to the department’s mission. We ensure that the programs we support and the investments we make are available to everyone, and we take special steps to ensure that underserved and small and medium-sized producers can participate in our programs and prosper as a result of our work.
USDA is working to support urban producers in their efforts to not only grow fresh, healthy produce but help create jobs, beautify their neighborhoods and increase access to fresh, healthy food in areas where grocery stores are scarce.
USDA is committed to ensuring our programs and investments reach all producers, including underserved producers who haven’t always had the opportunity to benefit from the many resources USDA has to offer. We are committed to ensuring producers have the tools and resources they need to be part of the climate solution. Please join us in thanking our nation’s producers and wishing them a happy National Agriculture Day.