ORLANDO, Fla. — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack used the Commodity Classic show to sign a pair of agreements with farm groups to boost soil-health practices under USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities.

 The first of two projects spotlighted at the Classic included Farmers for Soil Health, a partnership that will look to increase cover crops.

 “This will advance the use of soil health practices by utilizing cover crops by one million acres,” Vilsack said. “They expect and anticipate to use this resource that we’re providing to impact 20 states. The grant will offer both financial and technical assistance for farmers transitioning to planting cover crops. This initiative will also provide a market platform to help farmers diversify their revenue streams.”

 This initial effort is led by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, as well as the National Corn Growers Association, the United Soybean Board, and the National Pork Board.

 The second project funded is the Midwest Climate-Smart Commodity Program, led by the Iowa Soybean Association, but included other partners such as PepsiCo, Cargill, Renewable Energy Group, Ingredion, Target, JBS, Coca-Cola, Mano y Ola, FarmRaise, and Rural Community Assistance Partnership. That program will reach out to farmers in 12 states.

 “The effort here is to develop customer-based contracts for soybean growers, for corn, for wheat, and sugar beets,” Vilsack said, “to be able to provide the resources that these groups sells.”

 Each of the two projects spotlighted by Vilsack will receive grant rewards of up to $95 million.