The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced its search for nominees to serve on the newly established Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program Advisory Council. The announcement was made in a Federal Register notice today, outlining the USDA's initiative under the Growing Climate Solutions Act (GCSA) to streamline environmental credit markets and promote climate-smart agricultural practices.
The GCSA, enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, tasks the Advisory Council with aiding farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners—including those new to the field or from underserved communities—in engaging with voluntary environmental credit markets. These markets offer credits for verified emissions reductions, with the aim of opening new revenue avenues for small to mid-sized producers.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted the council’s role in mitigating market confusion and connecting producers with qualified technical assistance providers and third-party verifiers. "This council will play a crucial role in guiding a program that aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to climate-smart agricultural strategies and equitable economic opportunities," said Vilsack.
The council's duties will include reviewing and suggesting modifications to protocols for generating environmental credits, advising on market quantification and verification methods, and proposing strategies to reduce market entry barriers and transaction costs. This will support the administration's broader goals of enhancing market integrity and promoting environmental justice.
The USDA seeks to appoint 32 members to the council, representing a diverse group including farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, researchers, and professionals from the environmental and agricultural sectors. At least 51 percent of the council will consist of direct agricultural producers to ensure that the program remains grounded in practical, on-the-ground knowledge.
Nomination packages for council membership are due by October 15, 2024, with submissions accepted via email at [email protected] or by traditional mail. The USDA encourages electronic submissions for efficiency.
Further details on the nomination process, council responsibilities, and the overarching goals of the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program can be found on the USDA’s website or by contacting Sasha Strohm, Program Manager, directly.
