USDA announced this week a $1 billion investment in pilot projects that promote agricultural projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or that capture and store carbon. The program will use funds from USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation and is part of the Biden administration’s efforts to combat climate change, with the goal of reducing agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030, while putting the U.S. on a path to net-zero emissions by 2050.

U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says these climate-smart practices could raise the value of U.S. farm products while reducing the financial risk farmers face when considering new practices. The funding will be awarded to qualified public and private entities. Applications are due by April 8 for those seeking grants between $5 million to $100 million and those seeking small grants need to have applications submitted by May 27.

Read more on the new USDA program here.