The Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing Wednesday on the Growing Climate Solutions Act, legislation designed to break down barriers for farmers and foresters interested in participating in carbon markets so they can be rewarded for climate-smart practices.

The bill has the support of numerous agribusinesses and farm organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, and National Farmers Union.

“Farm Bureau’s grassroots-developed policy supports market-based incentives and compensation to farmers for planting crops or adopting farming practices that keep carbon in the soil,” testified AFBF president Zippy Duvall. “We also recognize that a number of companies, coalitions and consortiums are working to develop carbon market exchanges or programs. Rather than allowing it to become the Wild West, we support empowering USDA to help farmers navigate this new frontier.innovation.”

NFU President Rob Larew told the committee that climate change “is the single greatest long-term challenge facing family farmers and ranchers, rural communities, and global food security” but that “farmers and ranchers, if provided the right tools, can be a key part of a solution.”

Listen to opening remarks from Duvall and Larew at the hearing.
AFBF president Zippy Duvall (5:12)