The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the discontinuation of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC) program, replacing it with the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative. The shift is part of a strategy to reduce inefficiencies and ensure that federal funds are better allocated to benefit farmers directly.
“Many of these projects had sky-high administration fees,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. “We are cutting bureaucratic red tape, streamlining reporting, lowering the paperwork burden on producers, and putting farmers first.”
The new AMP initiative will repurpose existing PCSC funds with a focus on ensuring that at least 65% of these resources go directly to producers, effectively targeting more impactful, farmer-driven projects. To qualify, projects under AMP must meet three criteria: a minimum of 65% of funds must benefit producers directly, at least one producer must be enrolled, and payments must be made to at least one producer by the end of 2024.
The change comes after criticism of the former PCSC program for allocating too much funding to non-governmental organizations and administrative costs. Secretary Rollins expressed frustration with the old framework, calling it a “green new scam” that failed to prioritize American farmers.
Existing partnerships will continue to receive funding for costs incurred before April 13, 2025. However, no new funds will be allocated under the restructured framework, and the USDA has emphasized that AMP will operate within the current budget limits, with no additional federal allocations required. The new focus aims to streamline processes and provide more direct support to farmers in a move that could shape the future of agricultural funding and climate-smart initiatives.
