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CARBON FARMING BASICS
At the virtual Leaders' Climate Summit in April 2021,
President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of agri-
culture in carbon reduction. "I see farmers deploying cut-
ting-edge tools to make the soil of our Heartland the next
frontier in carbon innovation," Biden said. Agriculture is both
a victim and contributor to climate change. According to the
EPA, agriculture and forestry emit around 10.5% of total U.S.
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. On the other hand, it has a
role to play in curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
There's been much discussion about how to create a way
for farmers to earn credits for the climate-friendly practices
they've implemented, or will implement, in their operations.
Soils and climate change are intimately linked. There are
more soil microorganisms in a teaspoon of healthy soil than
there are people on the planet. Behind oceans, soils are the
second largest reservoir of greenhouse gases on earth. Soils
not only help to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,
but can also help farming operations be more resilient to
increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Healthy soils
make farmland more productive, reduce soil erosion, and
improve soil structure, thus improving the quality of ground
and surface waters.
Ohio farmer Kasey Bryant Bamberger believes
agriculture can play a major role in climate
solutions, but is cautiously optimistic about new
carbon regulations.
