SC Commissioner Weathers: Climate-Smart Grown in SC Project
There’s a new pilot project in South Carolina to encourage certain growing and management practices. Here to tell us about it is South Carolina Ag Commissioner Hugh Weathers.
Last year, South Carolina State University and Clemson University were jointly awarded $70 million by USDA to incentivize South Carolina farmers to adopt climate-smart practices.
These practices include things like:
- Cover-cropping
- Reduced tillage
- Mulching
- Planting particular tree species
- Prescribed grazing
The project is called Climate-Smart Grown In SC.
The pilot phase has begun. It covers four commodities initially:
- Peanuts
- Forest products
- Leafy greens
- Forages for beef cattle
Farmers and landowners should visit www.climatesmartsc.org to fill out an interest form and read about the commodities covered under the project.
The site even lists specific dollar amounts for adopting certain climate-smart practices.
Initial application deadline is April 17 for several of the commodities.
I hope this helps farmers who are not yet using these practices learn a little more about them to see if it will benefit their farming operation.
