Request for information to inform how NRCS will implement funds received under the Inflation Reduction Act (87 FR 70770, Docket ID: NRCS-2022-0015)

WWF urges the NRCS to use IRA funding to establish a National Agricultural Soil Carbon Plus Monitoring Network, prioritize the conservation of the Central Grasslands, and transition toward a 'regenerative agriculture' tier of technical assistance. The document emphasizes the need for better data infrastructure, the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) for Native Nations, and the reduction of on-farm food loss and waste to maximize climate and biodiversity outcomes.

• WWF recommends that NRCS use $100 million in IRA funding to establish a National Agricultural Soil Carbon Plus Monitoring Network. This infrastructure would integrate science into information systems to enable accurate measurement of soil carbon sequestration and GHG emissions, potentially utilizing a five-year data collection campaign across 60,000 sampling sites at a rate of 12,000 sites per year.
• The document argues for the prioritization of the Central Grasslands, noting that this ecosystem is being converted to row crop agriculture at a rate of nearly 2 million acres per year. WWF suggests a strategic initiative to protect these lands, including designating the region as a Priority Zone under the Grassland CRP to provide additional ranking points and $5 per acre for eligible offers.
• WWF proposes that NRCS adopt a 'regenerative agriculture' tier of conservation and technical assistance. This approach is defined as a holistic, place-based method that increases biodiversity, protects water ecosystems, builds soil health, and adapts to climate change, moving beyond standard sustainable agriculture to a higher level of resilience.
• To improve engagement with Native Nations, WWF recommends that NRCS allow Tribes to develop Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) based technical standards for Farm Bill conservation projects. It also suggests reducing or waiving federal match requirements, as Tribal funding is often federal and therefore ineligible as a match.
• The document highlights significant climate and economic losses from harvest inefficiency. Citing a 2022 WWF report, it notes that corn farms had an average field-level loss of 4.7% (compared to a 0.65% expectation) and soybeans had a 4.5% loss, suggesting that reducing these losses could decrease the total acreage needed for crop production.
• WWF suggests the creation of a dedicated 'hub' or team of staff to facilitate technology transfer. This team would systematically identify scalable innovations from programs like the Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) and Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities (PCSC) and integrate them into broader USDA programming and technical standards.

APA

WWF International (2022). Request for information to inform how NRCS will implement funds received under the Inflation Reduction Act (87 FR 70770, Docket ID: NRCS-2022-0015). https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/591/3936j0wzzv_IRA_WWFComments_Final_Dec_21_2022.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. Request for information to inform how NRCS will implement funds received under the Inflation Reduction Act (87 FR 70770, Docket ID: NRCS-2022-0015). 2022. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/591/3936j0wzzv_IRA_WWFComments_Final_Dec_21_2022.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=WWF International |title=Request for information to inform how NRCS will implement funds received under the Inflation Reduction Act (87 FR 70770, Docket ID: NRCS-2022-0015) |date=20 December 2022 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/591/3936j0wzzv_IRA_WWFComments_Final_Dec_21_2022.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{wwfinternational2022request, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Request for information to inform how NRCS will implement funds received under the Inflation Reduction Act (87 FR 70770, Docket ID: NRCS-2022-0015)}}, publisher = {WWF International}, year = {2022}, month = dec, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/591/3936j0wzzv_IRA_WWFComments_Final_Dec_21_2022.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }