November 2021 ESMC Newsletter
ESMC News
ESMC/ESMRC is seeking proposals from organizations that provide soil sampling services or soil analytical services or both to be carried out on our behalf as we move into 2022 full market program launch. As background, we have launched projects within specific regions and production systems where program buildout is complete. ESMC’s map continues to expand as we add more regions and production systems. All proposals are due on or by December 21, 2021. Read the full RFP on our website; a Soil Sampling Protocol is also available for review.
New ESMC Member – Conservation Innovation Fund
ESMC welcomes a new Legacy Partner Member, The Conservation Innovation Fund (CIF), a non-profit revolving fund focused on emerging environmental market solutions. The CIF works with its non-profit, business and government partners on watershed scale initiatives that systematically expand the pace, scale, and adoption of market-based conservation solutions. The CIF is currently partnered with ESMC to expand an integrated water and carbon initiative across the Chesapeake Bay. For more information on CIF, click here.
ESMC Podcast Episode #3 Highlights Agricultural Carbon Market Development
ESMC is pleased to announce a series of podcasts available on our website. Each podcast in the series of six details specific aspects of ESMC’s innovative market program and delves into the role of agriculture in reducing greenhouse gases and improving water quality. The third episode in this series highlights the developing carbon credit and offset industry; click here to listen.
Look For ESMC At….
Join ESMC’s Debbie Reed and Jack Jeworski at the Almond Board Conference December 7 – 9, 2021 in Sacramento, CA. This year’s conference theme, Rooted in Success, focuses on the foundation of the almond industry’s growth – strategic market development, innovative research, and accelerated adoption of industry best practices. Read more about the event.
Other News of Note
New York Times (November 23)
Global cropland has the potential to sequester as much as 570 million metric tons of carbon per year. New projects that pay farmers to adopt climate-friendly practices could help. Read the full article here.
After Years of Pushing for Prairie Strips, This Ecologist Won a MacArthur ‘Genius’ Grant
Civil Eats (November 22)
Ecologist Lisa Schulte Moore is changing the agricultural landscape one prairie strip at a time. These swathes of native prairie strategically planted on farmland as contour buffers or edge-of-field filters are an ecological wonder. Not only do they help control erosion and mitigate climate change, but they also improve soil health, water quality, and biodiversity. And few have done more to promote their use than Schulte Moore, who has worked across communities and disciplines to bring the benefits of prairie strips to the Corn Belt and beyond. Read the full article.
Carbon Farming Opportunities Beckon Farmers
Successful Farming (November 21)
Farmers must feel like major league rookies as they evaluate the barrage of carbon markets pitched their way. Like their baseball counterparts, farmers are neophytes in this new arena. The good news is that carbon markets can be a hit in terms of a new “crop” for farmers. Read the full article.
Focus on Whole-Farm Soil Health
Successful Farming (November 15)
While carbon markets, private groups, and government agencies race to incentivize farmers’ and ranchers’ adoption of soil health practices, Mike Shuter, a corn and soybean grower from Frankton, Indiana, quietly goes about his day – business as usual. Focusing on soil health is nothing new to Shuter. He switched to no-till 38 years ago, when the untested practice drew criticism from neighbors. He began strip-tilling in front of corn 15 years ago and adopted cover crops 10 years back. Today, his 3,000-acre Shuter Sunset Farms, which he operates in partnership with sons Brian and Patrick and their families, is a study in the benefits gained from a long-term commitment to soil health. Read the full article.
What Makes a Good Net Zero Carbon Emissions Pledge?
BBC (November 1)
Since world leaders got together in Paris in 2015 and committed their respective nations to try to limit global warming to 1.5C, “net zero” has become a rallying cry for action on climate change. The number of net zero targets that have been set, by national governments, industries, companies and others, has skyrocketed in recent years. Pledges to reach net zero now cover almost 80% of the global economy. But not all targets are created equal. Read the full article.
