CRAFT - Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture

Climate-Smart Agriculture at
Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture

Working Landscapes and Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture are working together to foster the adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices in the High Country.

At Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, we are proud to be part of this transformative movement. Through our collaboration with local farmers and partners, we are committed to advancing Climate-Smart Agriculture practices that will benefit our environment, our farmers, and our community.

What is Climate-Smart Agriculture?

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) promotes sustainable farming practices designed to secure food systems, enhance productivity, adapt to climate changes, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby protecting our planet.

Recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as an essential strategy for addressing climate change challenges, CSA focuses on three primary goals:

Sustainably increasing agricultural productivity: Ensuring that farming practices are efficient and productive to meet the growing food demands.

Adapting to climate change by enhancing resilience: Implementing strategies that help agricultural systems withstand and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Mitigating and reducing greenhouse gas emissions: Reducing the carbon footprint of farming activities to mitigate the effects of climate change.

National Initiatives

In the United States, the USDA is spearheading a major initiative with a $3.1 billion investment in 141 Climate-Smart Agriculture projects across the country. These projects are designed to provide technical and financial assistance to producers, develop methods for quantifying greenhouse gas benefits, and create new markets for agriculture that uses climate-smart practices. Expected outcomes include the creation of hundreds of new markets and revenue streams, the implementation of climate-smart practices on more than 25 million acres across 60,000 farms, and the sequestration of over 60 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent. This initiative will also involve nearly 100 universities, including many minority-serving institutions, and over 20 tribes, bringing innovative skills and ideas to the forefront. Through this initiative, America's climate-smart products will gain new markets, sustainable farming practices will yield enhanced environmental benefits, and significant support will be delivered to farmers, especially those who are small-scale or underserved.

Local Initiatives: Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and Working Landscapes

At the local level, Working Landscapes, a rural development organization based in Warren County, NC, has been awarded USDA Climate-Smart Commodities funding for a four-year period. This grant will enable 85 farms to enroll in the Climate-Smart Project. Working Landscapes has partnered with four NC Food Hubs, including the High Country Food Hub (powered by Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture), to reach a diverse group of farmers and assist them in implementing climate-smart practices on their farms.

Together, Working Landscapes and Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture are collaborating with High Country farmers to enroll them in the Climate-Smart Agriculture program.

This partnership provides financial support for the implementation of climate-smart practices, enhancing sustainable agriculture and creating more resilient farming communities across the region. By fostering these practices, we are not only contributing to the global effort to combat climate change but also ensuring that our High Country Agriculture farming communities are prepared to thrive in the face of environmental challenges.

Join the National Movement towards Climate-Smart Agriculture...

Get Involved:

For Farmers:

As farmers confront the effects of climate change, the Climate-Smart Agriculture program aims to help farmers adjust to our changing climate.

Working Landscapes is looking for farmers across North Carolina who are willing to commit to growing climate smart commodities and selling them locally.

Participating farms will receive assistance and funding for creating a climate-smart management plan for their farm and implementing climate-smart practices. If you are interested, click the button above!

Fill Out the Enrollment Interest Form to Get Started

For Non-Farmers:

Supporting Climate-Smart Agriculture isn't just for farmers; consumers play a crucial role too! By shopping from farms that practice climate-smart methods, consumers can make a positive impact on the environment. Learn more about Climate-Smart Farms in the High Country here.

Buying locally grown produce reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation. Supporting farmers' markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and food hubs that prioritize sustainability is another great way to support Climate-Smart Agriculture.

Spreading awareness and advocating for policies that promote climate-smart agriculture can help create a more sustainable food system for future generations.