CARBON FARMING

The fight against global climate change may turn out to be a very good fight for the U.S. farmer.

Credits earned for agro practices that sequester GhGs in the soil instead of releasing them into the atmosphere have sold on the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCE) for $2.50 to $7 a metric ton over the last 3 years and earn ~$4 a metric ton now. 990 North Dakota farmers and ranchers participating through the National Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program earned $2.6 million in July 2008.

Credits are earned primarily from no-till farming, a method of planting in which – instead of plowing the soil and releasing GhGs that have fallen or rotted into it – a machine injects seeds and fertilizer into standing stubble from the previous crop.

Credits can also be earned (1) by allowing native grasses or trees to grow on fallow land instead of plowing it under and (2) by installing waste-to-biogas systems to process manure instead of letting it lay and release methane gas.

Most farmers say no-till farming is the most sustainable method of managing the land anyway because it preserves moisture in the soil and saves on the fuel used in plowing. That they earn for using it is a bonus. Everett Dobrinski, farmer/member, National Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program: "It's a farming method that is cost effective…And every little bit helps."

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Farmers get money for capturing carbon
James Macpherson, August 15, 2008 (AP via USA Today)

WHO
Everett Dobrinski, farmer/member, National Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program; North Dakota Farmers Union (Robert Carlson, President)

WHAT
National Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program pools carbon credits and sells them to businesses and individuals who want to offset their greenhouse gas emissions (GhGs).

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WHEN
- 2006: National Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program began in North Dakota
- July 2008: 990 North Dakota farmers and ranchers earned $2.6 million in emissions credit sales.
- July 2007 to July 2008: Program enrollment tripled.

WHERE
- The National Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program sells its credits on the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCE), a commodity market that trades GhGs like other exchanges trade crops and livestock.
- The program accounted for no till farming/emissions sequestration on 2.8 million acres in 2006 and 2007.

WHY
- There are 2,300 farmers and ranchers in about 20 states in the National Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program.
- Credits are purchased on the CCE by businesses, cities or individuals to offset the emissions they generate.
- Farmers earn credits for no-till farming or growing grasses and trees that reduce carbon dioxide and other GhGs blamed for global climate change. Livestock producers earn credits for installing methane-capturing, waste-to-biogas systems.
- Administrators do spot checks to verify the sequestration and captuie practices are being done.
- Dobrinski plants 2,000 acres of durum, malting barley, canola and lentils without using a plow.

No-till also cuts down on the farmer's own emissions. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Everett Dobrinski, farmer/member, National Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program: "I am considerate of the environment, but I'm doing it more for my own pocketbook…It just makes economic sense."
- Robert Carlson, President, North Dakota Farmers Union: "North Dakota is the largest state in terms of carbon sequestration and program participation…"
- Carlson, on the credits earned through the capture of manure methane via waste-to-biogas systems: "Methane is one the most destructive greenhouse gasses…"