Farming: Cool Work That’s Cooling the Planet

August 31, 2018/Kelsie Raucher

Did you know that agriculture is the only sector that can actually pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil? Known as “carbon farming,” the sequestration of carbon in soil is not only good for our planet, it can also improve the fertility and water holding capacity of your land. Carbon farming results in a resilient soil more apt to face climate change; increased carbon aids plant growth and is vital to the wellbeing of the carbon nutrient cycle.

Many practices to sequester carbon on your farm are already in widespread use: applying compost, creating contour buffer strips, and planting hedgerows all aid in carbon sequestration. There are even more practices to consider implementing, according to the Carbon Cycle Institute. In addition to increasing soil health and removing greenhouse gases, focused carbon farming practices can create jobs in your community.

Don’t miss the upcoming Small Farms Program-sponsored event, “Farmers Can Help Cool the Planet.” This free, informational carbon farming forum is coming to Ithaca on Wednesday, September 26 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Join Dr. Jeffrey Creque from the Carbon Cycle Institute and three local farmers from various agricultural sectors to learn about how carbon farming has been implemented and how you can begin to carbon farm. The event will take place at the Tompkins County Public Library. For more information or questions on the event, contact Sara Hess.

Interested in learning even more about carbon farming? This fall the Small Farms Program is offering an online course on “Climate Smart Farming,” which covers methods of implementing some of these practices on your own farm.

Kelsie Raucher

Kelsie is from southwest Missouri and grew up on a 150-acre farm helping her family buy and sell horses and cattle. She credits FFA for finding her passion for agriculture and food issues and desiring a career as an “agvocate.” Since coming to Cornell, she has gained interest in local production, global food issues, and environmental impacts of and on agriculture. She joined the Cornell Small Farms Program in May of 2018 and is excited to gain experience to complement coursework in the Agricultural Sciences major and Communication major.
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