As climate plans continue to progress, there’s been a lot of talk about using agriculture and farm or pasture land for carbon sequestration. The National Academy of Sciences now estimates agricultural soils could take in more than 275 million tons of atmospheric carbon dioxide annually. That would offset 5 percent of U.S. emissions.
Iowa State University ecologist Steven Hall says some soils are better than others and not all farms will see maximum performance.
The NRCS says since 2005, farmer conservation has produced an eight fold increase in the prevention of greenhouse gas emissions. USDA is planning bigger payments and incentives for pulling marginal lands out of crop production in return for carbon absorbing grasses, trees and wetlands.
