Before our team at Trust In Food published its new report, “Ready or Not? Agricultural Carbon Markets and U.S. Farmers”—issued this past week to subscribers of this newsletter—we wanted outside input. Most importantly, we wanted feedback from farmers and ranchers uninvolved in the research process. After all, they are the stakeholders whose opinions and business decisions will determine the future of U.S. ag carbon markets.

We knew if anyone had the necessary standing to spot gaps and identify flaws, it would be them.

My colleague Cara Urban interviewed a range of producers and compiled their feedback in this post at TrustInFood.com. Their perspectives validated what hundreds of other U.S. farmers and ranchers told us. Yet they took it a step further, offering ideas for ways ecosystem markets might make adjustments to reach a broader cohort of farmers.

Here are just a few examples of recommendations they offered for the sustainability community’s consideration, with key concepts bolded by me for emphasis:

• “Maybe there’s room for a go-between to help incentive providers really understand the farmer and landowner perspective.” -Ray Gaesser, Iowa row-crop farmer
• “What producers need to build that trust with environmental services markets are clear guidelines about how the benefits we provide are being measured, assurance that they are looking at the landscape and what it provides with more than just carbon in mind (as we do), and clear signals—like good prices, offerings of more than just carbon credits, and more—that they understand what we value.” -Pat O’Toole, Wyoming cattle and sheep rancher
• “I wish we could focus more on being “climate-smart” rather than focusing only on carbon. I think if we broadened the conversation to be broader with other ecosystem services we could include more parts of the country where cover crops can’t be used because of a lack of available water.” – Fred Yoder, Ohio row-crop farmer

With 97% of surveyed farmers reporting they’re not yet ready to participate in carbon markets, there is enormous potential for public and private sectors to forge new paths for producers. Many paths already in progress might be modified to unlock the tremendous supply potential.

There’s a hopeful story in the pages of “Ready or Not? Agricultural Carbon Markets and U.S. Farmers,” and here’s the hook: Farmers are curious and capable, and they’ve demonstrated a willingness to use conservation agriculture practices. Increasingly, we hear about the benefits they’re experiencing, particularly in a drought year. Climate-smart systems can keep soil in place, make the best use of available water and mitigate risk.

How will we respond? At TIF, we’re taking a hopeful approach because we see the opportunity. We’ve identified some of the key gaps. Now, we’ve all got a collective shot at narrowing it. Together, let’s make climate-smart agriculture a natural solution to the challenges farmers face on their operations.

Yours in regenerative ag,
Amy Skoczlas Cole
Executive Vice President, Trust In Food™