Carbon Farming Makes Headlines

Earlier this week the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee heard testimony for the consideration of legislation that would allow for expanded carbon farm planning services that works towards awarding farmers with cash for conservation. This new bill would consider setting up a technical assistance program through USDA with the goal of progressive climate change solutions and supporting a much needed and growing international carbon-trading marketplace.

Yolo County RCD has been actively engaged with carbon farming since 2016 with the help of important trailblazers like Carbon Cycle Institute and generous funding support from Patagonia and California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD). Our first carbon farm plan was for Yolo Land and Cattle which you can read more about here. Currently we are working on a carbon farm plan for a City of Davis farm property that will advance their objectives for a progressive city-wide climate plan.

We look forward to the prospect of policy changes that would support farmers in their efforts to plan and implement the conservation practices that some have been doing for decades as well as encourage new adoption by farmers who may not be aware of the benefits these practices have to soil health and greenhouse gas emission reductions.

If you are interested in learning more about carbon farm planning and how you can be involved please contact Joanne Heraty (heraty@yolorcd.org) or (530) 661-1688×22

To read more about the bill and carbon farming check out these two recent articles:

Wired: ‘Carbon Farming’ Could Make US Agriculture Truly Green

Slate: Cabernet With a Side of Carbon