What’s Next for USDA’s Climate-Smart Commodities Projects? Reapplying Under AMP

The USDA recently transitioned away from the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC) and introduced a new initiative: Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP). While the shift has created some uncertainty, it also represents a clear effort to ensure that the funding reaches those the farmers and ranchers it’s meant to serve

Why the Change?

The AMP program sets new requirements, most notably that at least 65% of total grant funds must go directly to producers. That means USDA is asking partners to prioritize funding that directly supports farmers through cost-share payments, incentives, and other tangible resources.

Existing projects are now being reviewed as amendments to their original agreements. Awardees are resubmitting updated project plans for review, and if approved, the original contract termination will be rescinded and replaced with an amended agreement.

What’s Happening Now

Here’s what we’ve learned from one AMP project lead who recently connected with their new USDA contact*:

• AMP resubmissions are due June 20, 2025.
• If your amendment is approved, the previous termination will be rescinded, and your updated project details will be formalized through an amendment to your original agreement.
  
  
• Technical assistance does not count toward the 65% requirement; only direct-to-producer funds do.
  
  
• The review period after June 20 is expected to last 60 to 90 days.
• Projects that move forward under AMP can expect to receive funding through April 2028.
  
  

*Note: This is not official guidance. Talk to your USDA contact for official information. 

Meeting the 65% Producer Funding Threshold

USDA’s new requirement—that at least 65% of funds go directly to producers—is non-negotiable. But meeting it doesn’t have to mean cutting corners or sacrificing quality. Instead, organizations are being encouraged to rethink how their projects are structured and delivered.

Some tips:

• Prioritize your producer payments—incentives, cost-share, conservation services, and tools.
  
  
• Rebalance your budget to emphasize direct support, rather than staffing or overhead.
  
  
• Use tools like FarmRaise to reduce your administrative burden. FarmRaise helps streamline enrollment, practice verification, payment tracking, and reporting—so more of your funding can go where it matters most: to the producers you're supporting.
  
  

Several project leads have found that by automating some of the manual work and simplifying reporting, they can keep project operations lean while still delivering high-quality programming.

What to Do Next

If you were a PCSC awardee, here’s how to stay on track:

1. Submit your updated project amendment by June 20.
   
   
2. Rework your budget to meet the 65% direct-to-producer requirement, keeping in mind that technical assistance doesn’t count toward that total.
   
   
3. Coordinate with your new USDA contact—they should be reaching out to guide your resubmission process.
   
   
4. Plan for a 60–90 day review window, with funding expected to extend through April 2028 if your amendment is approved.
   
   

This is a big shift—but it’s also a chance to refocus on what matters most: supporting producers directly. With the right tools, clear communication, and thoughtful budget planning, your project can move forward under AMP and continue making an impact.