WASHINGTON, D.C. (NAFB) – USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Jewell Bronaugh held a press conference with farm broadcasters and spoke on several topics.

She’s only been in the job a few weeks and says she is getting up to speed on many issues.

USDA officials are spending a lot of time on the topic of climate-smart agriculture.

She says USDA can’t meet their climate goals without the help of farmers, ranchers, and landowners.

They’re also looking at ways to establish voluntary markets like a carbon credit market. USDA recently announced it will invest $4 billion to strengthen the U.S. food system. While they don’t have a timeline yet for when the funds will get spent, the money will come from several areas.