Ag Data Bank and Grants Program

Concept

The ONE RED Ag Data Bank and Grants Program is made up of three strategies: a Carbon Intensity (CI) Data Bank, Regenerative Agriculture Incentives, and Precision Agriculture Incentives. 
The program is designed to engage growers, build understanding of carbon intensity as a performance metric, and encourage broader adoption of regenerative agricultural practices supported by precision technologies and data-driven insights.
The Department will work with the Governor’s Water Quality and Quantity Task Force, made up of agricultural leaders, state agencies, and industry experts, to identify and prioritize suitable technology and systems for meeting the program goals.  See more information about the three Ag Data Bank and Grants Program initiatives below.

Funding available: $150 million
Greenhouse gas reductions by 2030: 28 million metric tons

CI Score Data Bank

To begin, the Ag Data Bank and Grants program will create financial incentives for ag producers to measure their carbon intensity (CI) and submit their CI score into a data bank specifically designed with Nebraska farmers in mind. The data bank will pay farmers for their submission. Lower CI scores may mean a farmer can get paid a premium price for their crop through a variety of tax incentives and market opportunities.

The data bank will be administered by DWEE and a sub-contractor through a competitive RFP process. With extensive input from the agricultural community, the Governor’s Water Quality and Quantity Task Force will help determine the parameters of the CI Data Bank Program.

After a farmer has submitted their CI scores to the data bank, they will be eligible to apply for the Regenerative Agriculture Incentives and the Precision Agriculture Incentives programs, which provide grants to initiate regenerative ag practices or purchase precision ag equipment, respectively, which in turn can help producers further reduce their CI score.

Regenerative Agriculture Incentives

Regenerative Agriculture refers to a variety of farming practices that improve the regeneration of a healthy topsoil. These practices include, but are not limited to, cover crops, no-till, nutrient management plans, and grazing strategies.

The Regenerative Agriculture Incentives program will provide funds to producers attempting to implement such strategies. Producers will pick what practices work best for their operations, and the funding will help eliminate barriers and mitigate risks that may have prevented them from using these strategies before. The program is being developed with small and medium farming operations in mind.
In addition to the regenerative ag funds for individual producers across the state, this award will also fund community-based regenerative ag demonstration projects in several regions of the state. Information learned from these projects will be shared among producers statewide so all producers can learn more about regenerative ag practices.

Precision Agriculture Incentives

Precision Agriculture refers to the application of water, nutrients, and pest control according to the specific needs of a plant and its specific environment. Precision agriculture utilizes soil sampling, satellite imagery, and real-time sensors to track growing conditions. With this data, growers will utilize GPS along with advanced equipment designs and chemicals that meet the individualized needs of particular crops and their specific conditions.
 

This precision allows farmers to apply fertilizers or other chemicals only where needed, in the amount it is needed, or use less fuel as they plant and treat their fields, thus lowering their CI Score.
 

The Precision Agriculture Incentives program will provide funding to help farmers, Co-ops, Natural Resources Districts, and other groups purchase:
•    Precision agriculture equipment
•    Soil health and regenerative agriculture equipment
•    Water management and irrigation systems
•    Data collection and monitoring technologies
•    Carbon measurement and monitoring equipment
•    Livestock management and regenerative grazing equipment
The program is being developed with small and medium farming operations in mind.

Eligibility

Ag producers must measure their carbon intensity and submit their CI score to be eligible for all three components of the Ag Data Bank and Grants Program.

How to apply

Application details about this grant will be made available as the program is developed. Thanks for your patience!
 

Additional Information

More details about this program can be found in the workplan document attached at the bottom of this page. The full workplan is available on the ONE RED Implementation Page. 
 

The program is being developed through information gathered from a report titled, “Climate Neutrality for Nebraska Agriculture: Benchmarking Current Emissions,” prepared by Blonk Consultants. 
 

Contact

Email -- DWEE.ONERED@nebraska.gov

Or sign up for the ONE RED Listserv -- https://dee.nebraska.gov/aid/one-red-opportunity-nebraska-reducing-emissions-decarbonization/one-red-contact-information