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Stakeholders testify about Growing Climate Solutions act
The Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing this morning to get stakeholder perspectives on the Growing Climate Solutions Act, a bill that would help farmers participate in carbon markets and get rewarded for climate-smart practices.
The bipartisan bill was introduced in early June by US senators Mike Braun of Indiana, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island.
Ranking member Debbie Stabenow says the bill would break down barriers for farmers interested in participating in carbon markets.
“It will help farmers and foresters scale up sustainable practices and make money through voluntary carbon markets,” she says.
The bill has the support of more than 50 farm and environmental groups including American Farm Bureau, National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, US Cattlemen’s Association, National Pork Producers Council, National Farmers Union, Environmental Defense Fund, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.
Indiana Farmer Brent Bible, and a farmer adviser for the Environmental Defense Fund, testified that farmers are facing more challenges than ever and need congressional support to scale up the adoption of conservation practices.
“That’s why I like the Growing Climate Solutions Act- it opens the door for farmer participation in a market-based system that rewards farmers for implementing conservation practices on their farms if they choose to do so,” he says.
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says the Growing Climate Solutions Act would also remove barriers for farmers.
“Growing Climate Solutions Act would create a certification program at USDA to solve technical barriers and help farmers participate in carbon credit markets,” he says.
National Farmers Union President Rob Larew and Jason Weller, vice president of Truterra, the sustainability business of Land O’Lakes, also testified.
