The USDA is looking to create a set of pilot projects that provides incentives to implement climate smart conservation practices on working lands and to quantify and monitor the carbon and greenhouse gases associated with those practices. The pilot projects could even expand or develop new and additional markets.

In spring of 2019, Watertown, Wis., no-tiller Tony Peirick planted corn into living cereal rye. See his fields in several stages of growth, starting with emergent cereal rye in spring, planting into the rye, rolling it after planting, and more.

Critics of proven conservation practices like no-till, strip-till or cover crop seeding often complain there’s no evidence of material benefits to a farmer’s bottom line — that the only thing that matters is yield.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that $150 million in funding is available for agricultural producers through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).