Announcement of National Climate Strategy at MSU
The USDA's Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack addresses the media during the announcement of National Climate Strategy at the Kellogg Center Auditorium in East Lansing Thursday, April 23, 2015. (Danielle Duval | MLive.com)
(MLive Media Group)
A new climate strategy for agriculture was announced at Michigan State University on Thursday in East Lansing by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The program, "Building Blocks for Climate Smart Agriculture & Forestry", consists of ten aspects. Many of the changes are voluntary and come from the Farm Bill, signed into law last year. If farmers follow the suggestions, there are incentives such as grants, low-interest loans and technical assistance. Specific actions announced in Vilsack's plan included: reducing the unnecessary use of fertilizer and methane emissions from cattle and swine, replanting trees in areas damaged by wildfire and disease, encouraging tree planting in urban areas and using wood as a building material to store carbon material and offset use of fossil fuels for energy "In order to address climate change, we have to get ahead of it," Vilsack said during the speech. "And no one, no one innovates better, responds to a challenge better than the folks who live, work and raise their families in rural America." Michigan State University is the country's oldest agriculture college and was the place where President Barack Obama signed the Farm Bill into law last year. [Read more details about the plan and all 10 "building blocks."](http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/100ae7d) Vilsack said if the plan is followed, carbon emissions would be reduced by 120 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2025. That is the same as taking 25 million cars off the road. "This voluntary strategy is an initiative designed precisely for working farms...and production system, it encourages action that enhances productivity while avoiding action that might inhibit production," Vilsack said. Michigan Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow championed the Farm Bill through Congress and praised Vilsack's announcement. "As our climate changes, (farmers, ranchers, and foresters') ability to produce our food, timber, and fiber will become increasingly strained and uncertain," Stabenow said in a statement on Thursday. "That's why it's important we begin to address the issues of climate change in a serious way." The Michigan Agri-Business Association said the programs are welcomed. "The impacts of climate change are only going to become more pronounced, and we appreciate the Secretary's focus on leveraging USDA tools and resources to boost resiliency," Jim Byrum, president of the MABA said in a statement. "Our industry needs to continue leading, and we look forward to doing our part here in Michigan." Laura Campbell, who manages agricultural ecology programming at Michigan Farm Bureau, praised the plan. "Michigan Farm Bureau policy supports voluntary conservation programs like the one Secretary Vilsack laid out today at MSU," Campbell said. "We partner with USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Programs here in Michigan and always support farmers' efforts toward outstanding environmental stewardship." She added, "As outlined today, USDA's new program is focused on end goals related to climate change, but it's based in sound stewardship practices aimed at preserving water, air and soil quality. That's encouraging, as is the additional attention this program brings to forest products, biofuels and alternative uses for forest land." *The Associated Press contributed to this report* *Fritz Klug is a news buzz reporter for MLive. Contact him at