OFFSET GHG BY FOREST OR FARM

U.S. Forest Service accepting ‘carbon offsets’; Consumers can donate to projects that plant trees to absorb CO2
July 25, 2007 (AP via MSNBC)
and
Iowa Farm Bureau starts carbon trading business
July 25, 2007 (Iowa Farm Bureau via Dairy Herd Management)

WHO
FOREST U.S. Forest Service (Chief Gail Kimbell); National Forest Foundation
FARM Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), Dave Miller, director of research and commodity services and David Lyons, chief business development officer; AgraGate Climate Credits Corporation (Dave Krog, ceo); Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX)
One of America's greatest resources, the National Forests, just got greater.

WHAT
FOREST The service and the foundation have created the Carbon Capital Fund to allow donations supporting US National Forests to go toward offsetting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
FARM As a subsidiary of the Gfarm Bureau, AgraGate will manage the IFBF’s million+ acres of carbon credit-eligible enrolled farmlands for trading on the CCX.

WHEN
FOREST Now. The cool people have already donated.
FARM IFBF has handled credits since 1997 and has dealt in offsets since 2003. Through June 2007, Agragate had one million+ acres enrolled.

WHERE
FOREST First projects will be reforestation in Custer National Forest (Montana and South Dakota), Payette National Forest (Idaho)
FARM AgraGate has farmers, ranchers and forest owners in 16 states, from South Carolina to Colorado and from Texas to Minnesota.

WHY
FOREST
- Donations to Carbon Capital Fund will plant trees, improve water quality/wildlife habitat and restore natural disaster/wildfire public lands damages.
- 155 National Forests offset 10% of US GHG emissions. With better funded, more extensive planting, that can become 25%.
- Each $6 donation offsets 1 metric ton of emissions.

Carbon offsetting will pay the mortgage!

FARM
Wisely managed, agricultural lands can generate offset income for farmers and ranchers in a variety of ways. No-till planting reduces the release of dormant soil carbons into the atmosphere. Wetland and permanent grassland/forest restoration, planting of conservation and cover crops also help sequester soil carbon. Proper handling of animal and agricultural waste can reduce emissions and be developed into renewable energy, possibly doubling benefits to farmers and ranchers.
AgraGate will work entirely through the Chicago Climate Exchange.
This is where the action is. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
FOREST
- Kimbell: "People have an opportunity to contribute to the health, diversity and productivity of the nation's forests, not only by countering climate change, but also by replanting forests for the benefit of future generations…"
Carbon Capital Fund
FARM
- Krog: “I’m honored about having this opportunity to grow what’s already the leading carbon credits aggregator for American farmers, ranchers and private forest owners…This market is ready to expand rapidly and we plan to be at the forefront in making that happen.”
- Miller: “We were among the first to join the CCX when it opened in 2003 and we already have the most experienced people and the most diverse product line of any company involved in aggregating credits from agricultural activities…
- Lyons: “I believe this emerging market is demonstrating that sound environmental practices and good business are not mutually exclusive…Farmers, ranchers and foresters get a financial benefit while they’re doing the right thing by their land.”