Advancing U.S. Pork Sustainability Grant

This practice entails a second pumping of agitated slurry from a manure storage structure within 12 months. 

Yes. Both are eligible under the second pumping practice. 

No, the grant requires pumping from a manure storage structure to a field, as the climate-smart benefit comes from the manure being held in the soil. 

New is defined as implementation ‘within the last two years’ or never before on acres/ in barns that historically have not been engaged with CSC practices. CSC practices can be stacked but not double counted with other federal programs. This grant is focused on helping the early majority invest and take up CSC practices. We want to recognize the good work of innovators and early adopters through being able to show the added value within the market place through increased data from the increase of acres/ barns within the NPB Pork Cares Farm Impact reports on national and state level. USDA is still providing further guidance on this issue. 

The grant program goal is to incent consistency in pumping more than once per 12 months, so program participants will be eligible for payments each of the five years, which could total $62,500.  Producers who applied manure in 2022 are eligible under the definition of “new.”   

If not one in the same, the producer of the manure is the eligible candidate for the grant financial assistance. 

In this grant, implementation costs will only be covered for new LED lights installed in barns that house pigs. However, you may be able to receive a discount for buying in bulk to reduce the cost for installation in other buildings.

In this grant, implementation costs will only be covered for new LED lights that are replacing current fixtures such as incandescent, halogen, HID, or T12 fluorescent. However, you may be able to receive a discount for buying in bulk to reduce the cost of replacement LED lights. 

The grant program requires buffer plantings to remain in place for 10 years to ensure the greenhouse gas benefits are realized. 

The grant contract for planting buffers is five years but we are asking for your commitment for the full length of the practice lifespan (10 years). 

Yes, if they are new acres put into cover cropping. There is a two-year lookback in terms of defining new acres. 

No. This program is designed to encourage the implementation of new climate smart practices on operations.  

The goal of the program is to provide competitive opportunities, but is not focused on being the leading opportunity for cover crops.  The Advancing U.S. Pork Sustainability grant is unique because it provides a number of benefits to producers, including completion of the Pork Cares Farm Impact report to identify and provide support for multiple practices.  The grant is focused on supporting long term sustainability of the pork industry and feed supply and providing baseline reports to demonstrate the industry’s progress.  

Farmers will be able to decide where it fits best, as a running balance, especially with manure application schedules.  

For example, if committing 60 acres each year, you will get paid for 180 acres in first three years (could be 40 acres one year, then balance out to 80 the next year), committed to up to 120 acres in year four and five.

This is defined as a minimum of two years/two rotations without cover crop on that acre. USDA will be able to look back on previous years to determine what was standard practice on your farm.  

No. Cover crops should be applied based on what works for your operation, in line with NRCS standards.

Planting is required for five years. Plan is to pay $40/$50 per acre for the first three years. In years four and five, technical assistance will still be provided. 

Minimum of 100 acres operated, or 50% of acre total. Maximum of 1,000. 

Any livestock integration will be accepted in the program. Cattle are expected to be the primary livestock, with equine eligible as well. 

All practices must follow NRCS standard guidelines.

The project team reviewed a long list of current climate-smart practices and chose a select few with strong evidence for return on investment. Therefore no-till has been included, as the practice provides more sustainable benefits than reduced till.