Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 2/6/20

A senior adviser to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has hosted a series of meetings this week about a new USDA initiative on "sustainability, productivity and innovation," according to emails reviewed by POLITICO. A range of farm groups, such as the National Corn Growers Association and National Association of Wheat Growers, as well as food manufacturers have attended to offer input on the new effort.

Details are sparse, but there is talk of setting targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with a focus on innovation in technology, according to several sources. Whether USDA plans to get specific commitments from the agriculture and food industries, make major changes to its farm programs, or devote more money to climate action remains unclear. These sources cautioned that the initiative is still in its early stages.

"USDA is talking about the good story of American agriculture, which is innovation and production. We're working to build on that success to meet future challenges," a department spokesperson said in a statement.

A five-year research plan announced by USDA's top scientist on Wednesday could offer some insight. The priorities — unveiled by Scott Hutchins, USDA deputy undersecretary for research, education and economics — touch on five themes, including sustainable agriculture intensification; climate adaptation; improving food safety and food security; and "value-added innovations" that create job and economic opportunities in rural America. Hutchins announced the blueprint at the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research's annual forum, Agri-Pulse reported.

The threat climate change presents for agriculture became particularly evident after a series of intense weather disasters — including extreme rains followed by a "bomb cyclone" last spring that ravaged the Midwest. The wet weather left a record-shattering 20 million acres unplanted.

But USDA hasn't been engaging on climate action, as Pro Ag's Helena Bottemiller Evich reported last year. The department spends just 0.3 percent of its $144 billion budget helping farmers adapt to climate change, whether it's identifying the unique risks each region faces or helping producers rethink their practices in order to be more resilient during extreme rain or drought.