University of Idaho-led program opens second round of producer applications

A University of Idaho-led program offering technical and financial assistance to Idaho farmers and ranchers who adopt climate-smart agricultural practices has opened for a second enrollment period.

The Innovative Agriculture and Marketing Partnership represents the largest grant award in U of I’s history, offering more than $31 million in financial incentives to Idaho producers who implement designated climate-smart practices.

“I’m optimistic we can make a big impact on changing agriculture in Idaho,” said Erin Brooks, IAMP co-director and professor in the Department of Soil and Water Systems. “I see a potential transformation that could happen over the next five years, and IAMP could be the key catalyst.”   

Annual incentives range from $38 to $74 per acre or $1 per head per day for grazing cover crops on enrolled acreage, according to a press release from U of I.  

The program received heavy interest among North Idaho wheat growers during the initial signup period last fall. 

IAMP is a statewide project focused on reducing climate impact within the production of Idaho’s top commodities — including potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, barley, hops, chickpeas and beef — while also seeking to create marketing opportunities for sustainably raised food.    

IAMP officials will emphasize enrolling southern and eastern Idaho projects involving potatoes and sugar beets during this round of applications. IAMP prioritizes acreage enrollments to maximize producer, practice, regional and commodity diversity, the press release said. 

The first large-scale enrollment of producers implementing climate-smart practices will commence this spring. Producers who registered during the initial signup round needn’t take any action during the current round.

The application form will invite producers to identify their preferences among a list of IAMP partner organizations to advise and guide them throughout the program, including county soil conservation districts, The Nature Conservancy, Desert Mountain Grass-Fed Beef and the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) and Schitsu’umsh (Coeur d’Alene) tribes.

IAMP will enroll more than 200 farms, with at least 30% of participants representing underserved populations. The program aims to prevent 31,000 to 70,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents from entering the atmosphere annually while replenishing cropland soil carbon.   

The application period is open through Feb. 21.

Info: iamp.uidaho.edu