Climate Hubs
Stored: Climate Hubs
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Partnership |
| Top Organization | Department of Agriculture |
| Creation Legislation | Global Change Research Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-606), Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-171) |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | USDA Climate Hubs, run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aid farmers and foresters with climate adaptation, boosting sustainability and resilience nationwide through regional support and research. |
| Program Start | 2014 |
| Initial Funding | $20 million |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
The USDA Climate Hubs, established in 2014 under the Global Change Research Act of 1990 and expanded by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, are administered by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Office of Energy and Environmental Policy to support climate adaptation, allocating over $400 million since inception to support approximately 10 regional hubs annually by 2025. Initially funded with $20 million, it has grown to distribute $50 million in FY 2025 across 10 initiatives, funding projects like drought-resistant crop development in the Southwest and wildfire mitigation in the Pacific Northwest at regional hubs nationwide.[1] Despite its impact, challenges like funding competition, farmer adoption, and data gaps persist (web ID: 0), but it remains a key USDA effort to address climate change in agriculture.
Goals
- Help farmers, ranchers, and foresters adapt to climate change by providing tools, research, and technical assistance for climate-smart agriculture.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon sequestration through sustainable land management practices.
- Build resilience in rural and agricultural communities by addressing climate impacts like drought, flooding, and wildfires through regional hub networks.[2]
Organization
The USDA Climate Hubs are managed by USDA’s Office of Energy and Environmental Policy, overseen by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack since 2021, with regional hub directors and state partners implementing projects under federal oversight. It operates via annual appropriations, guided by the Global Change Research Act, Farm Security and Rural Investment Act, and subsequent funding acts like Public Law 118-342 (2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act).[3]
Partners
- U.S. Forest Service
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- The Nature Conservancy
History
Authorized by the Global Change Research Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-606) and expanded by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-171), and launched in 2014 with $20 million, the USDA Climate Hubs expanded with annual appropriations, reaching $50 million in FY 2025.[4] It grew from supporting 7 hubs annually in 2015 to 10 by 2025, addressing climate challenges with innovations like climate-smart agriculture tools (web ID: 4). By 2025, it has funded over $400 million, though GAO notes funding competition concerns (web ID: 0).
Funding
Initial funding of $20 million in 2014 supported the program’s launch, with over $400 million appropriated by 2025 via annual USDA budgets—e.g., $50 million in FY 2025.[5] Ongoing appropriations under the Global Change Research Act and Farm Security and Rural Investment Act sustain its operations, with no fixed end as it addresses ongoing climate needs.
Implementation
USDA Climate Hubs distribute grants and technical assistance annually, requiring proposals to address climate adaptation, tracked via USDA’s program management system.[6] It progresses through partnerships with agricultural organizations—e.g., 10 hubs yearly—and program expansions, adapting to climate needs with no set end, though farmer adoption remains a challenge (web ID: 0).
Related
External links
Social media
References
- ↑ "USDA Climate Hubs". U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov.
- ↑ "USDA Climate Hubs Mission". U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/about/mission.
- ↑ "USDA Leadership". U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda/leadership.
- ↑ "Global Change Research Act of 1990". U.S. Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/101st-congress/senate-bill/169.
- ↑ "USDA Climate Hubs". U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov.
- ↑ "USDA Climate Hubs Funding Opportunities". U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/funding-opportunities.