Sustainability
USDA Expands Climate-Smart Grant to Pork Producers in 12 States
NPB is excited to announce the expansion of the Advancing U.S. Pork Sustainability and Market Value grant program to support pork producers in nine additional states.
Advancing U.S. Pork Sustainability and Market Value Grant
The Advancing U.S. Pork Sustainability and Market Value grant is an opportunity for farmers in 12 states to receive technical support and incentives for adopting climate-smart agriculture practices.
The grant is available to farmers in the following states:
| Illinois | Kansas | Minnesota | Ohio |
| Indiana | Kentucky | Missouri | South Dakota |
| Iowa | Michigan | Nebraska | Wisconsin |
Why Participate In This Program?
Grants play a vital role in fostering collaborations with supply chain leaders. NPB secures grants on behalf of producers to forge partnerships with brands. The goal is to create win-win opportunities that protect producers’ freedom to operate and the social license to sell pork.
Partnerships Make A Big Impact
The financial backing of $20 million in federal funding for the Advancing U.S. Pork Sustainability and Market Value grant, matched with $10 million from our grant partner Nestle and $5 million in Pork Checkoff funds, provides a total of $35 million to support producers.
Investments like this enhance the long-term viability of U.S. pork production and ensures that producers remain competitive in a market that increasingly values environmentally conscious practices.
What the Grant Offers
Eligible producers in all 12 states can now access technical assistance and financial support for implementing the following practices:
- Cover Crops: Improve soil health, reduce erosion, and increase carbon sequestration by planting cover crops during non-growing seasons.
- Livestock Integration: Combine livestock management with cover cropping to enhance nutrient recycling and soil fertility.
- Conservation Tillage: Reduce soil disturbance with reduced tillage or no-till practices, which help preserve soil structure and moisture.
- Manure Management: Efficiently use manure in nutrient application plans – applying manure to nourish crops and improve soil quality.
- Edge-of-Field and Perennial Grass Buffers: Establish buffers that help reduce sediment and nutrient loss, protecting local waterways.
- Energy-Efficient Practices: Transition to energy-efficient options like LED lighting and heat mats to reduce overall energy use.
How It Works In 6 Steps
To begin the grant application process, the first step is to complete the required Pork Cares Farm Impact Report for your operation.
1. Sign Up for a Pork Cares Farm Impact Report
- Eligible producers sign up for a Pork Cares Farm Impact Report.
2. Complete the Report with Eocene
- Producers work with NPB’s trusted partner, Eocene Environmental Group, to complete their report. An Eocene technician — such as an agronomist and livestock specialist — will assist in collecting the on-farm data needed for the report.
3. Create a Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Implementation Plan
- With support from Eocene, producers decide on a plan tailored to their farm’s needs and goals for adopting climate-smart practices.
4. Receive Technical Assistance
- Partners like Eocene, Ducks Unlimited and Millborn Seeds will provide hands-on support for implementing CSA practices, while financial training will be provided by Farm Credit Council.
5. Apply for the Grant
- Producers submit their grant applications through NPB, which manages the approval process and administer payments.
6. Track Progress
- Eocene assists producers in collecting CSA practice impact data and securely uploading it to the We Care® Dashboard.
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