NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — Farmers and ranchers across North Dakota can now apply for payments to adopt conservation practices aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture program, funded through a $57.8 million USDA grant, opened its application window this week. Producers accepted into the program will earn $100 per acre or animal unit for implementing or maintaining conservation practices that help fight climate change. Eligible participants can enroll up to 320 acres or animal units, with a maximum annual payout of $32,000. The pilot program is limited to producers in seven soil conservation districts: Cass Foster McKenzie Mercer Rolette Stark-Billings Ward Producers who enrolled in 2024 can reapply in 2025, but they cannot enroll the same acres for the same practice. ND Department of Commerce awards $715,000 to state businesses Sixteen different conservation practices qualify under the program, including cover cropping, no-till farming, rotational grazing, and wetland restoration. Nationally, the program is led by Virginia Tech. In North Dakota, Farmers Union is heading the initiative, with support from the North Dakota Conservation District Employees Association and the North Dakota Grain Growers Association. Government Relations Director at North Dakota Farmers Union, Matt Perdue, said, "the crop prices have declined. Input costs are very high, and so we're really heading into a year where there's going to be a lot of stress on farmers, a lot of economic stress. And what this program does is it provides another revenue stream and supports those producers for continuing that, that tradition of stewardship." Farmers and ranchers have one month to submit their applications. Interested producers are encouraged to contact their local soil conservation district or visit official program websites for more details. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW