Interested in Carbon Farming?
Special Issue: June, 2020
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In this Issue:
- Introduction to Carbon Farm Plans (CFPs)
- Working with Gold Ridge RCD
- How to Apply
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Introduction to Carbon Farm Plans
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Are you interested in increasing carbon sequestration and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions all while improving your land's soil health and productivity?
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Carbon Farm Planning might be right for you!
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- Identify realistic and achievable carbon practices for your operation
- Take the next step in achieving your conservation goals
- Improve your future funding opportunities
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What is Carbon Farming?
The phr
ase
‘carbon farming
’ means using farming methods that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and/or capture and hold carbon in vegetation and soils. Carbon farming can cover small changes
in land management – like introducing
no-till cropping, stubble retention, agroforestry, or methane-reducing feed supplements
. Many of the techniques used in carbon farming are consistent with best practice management approaches for
sustainable agriculture
. They not only reduce the levels of CO
2
being released into the atmosphere, but they can also lead to an improvement in farm efficiencies and profitability.
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Importance of Soil Carbon
.
Soil organic carbon is the basis of
soil fertility
.
It releases nutrients for plant growth, promotes the structure, biological and physical health of soil, and is a buffer against harmful substances
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Carbon Farm Plans (CFPs)
ide
ntify
realistic carbon practices
for your operation to assist you in meeting your on-site conservation goals. CFPs evaluate all elements of your farming and land management practices and cha
llenge you to find more climate beneficial alternatives when feasible. Once completed, the document serves as a pathway to future funding for CFP implementation.
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Depending upon your site, a CFP may include some or all of the following:
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- Mapping and inventory of property features such as planted areas, grazed areas, streams, riparian areas, roads, etc.
- Water Management
- Erosion, Sediment & Stormwater Management
- Agrichemical Management
- Management of riparian areas
- Assessment of current practices and, if needed, recommendations for other beneficial practices (e.g., invasive plant removal, native vegetation enhancement, removal of fish passage obstructions/barriers, outlet protection, etc.)
- Assessment and recommendations for other issues or management practices that are of interest to you
- Prioritized action plan for improving carbon and greenhouse gas sequestration on your farm, as well as quantitative estimates of how each planned practice benefits carbon and greenhouse gas sequestration.
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Benefits of Carbon Farming.
Carbon Farm Practices c
an provide multiple benefits for
climate change resiliency
, by reducing atmospheric CO2 levels while improving
soil health
, water holding capacity, and crop and forage production. Carbon farming practices also promote
water conservation
and reduce irrigation needs, reducing stream withdrawals and thereby enhancing water quality and in-stream habitat. Practices such as hedgerows and windbreaks work to both sequester CO2 while
enhancing on-farm
wildlife and pollinator habitat
.
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Eligibility.
An
y agricultural operation can benefit from a CFP
(crop farms, rangelands, vineyards, dairies, orchards, etc). To apply, you must be a landowner or a lessee operating the la
nd. If you are a lessee, you must have explicit consent of the landowner before beginning the CFP development process, however, it is not required at the time of application.
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Working with Gold Ridge RCD
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Gold Ridge RCD offers several planning tools for farmers at minimal to no-cost.
To learn about the RCD's full offerings to farmers,
click here
.
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Gold Ridge works to support Sonoma County's agricultural industry through several conservation and management tools
,
one
of which is
Carbon Farm Planning
.
We work with our
LandSmart®
partners
to identify practices that would allow agricultural operations to increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
.
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In the words of our
Executive Director, Brittany Jensen, carbon farming is a regional tactic to address a global problem:
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“By helping farmers make carbon farming a part of their daily operations, we have the opportunity to work on a global problem – climate change – and make a local difference. By working on carbon farming with other North Bay RCDs, we also have an opportunity to strengthen our regional mission to build climate resilience across northern California."
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When working with Gold Ridge RCD, you can expect quality, confidential service from our staff on a routine basis. We are ready to work with you on
cost-share plans
that meet your budget and
timelines
that fit your schedule. Our job is to make this work for you, your operation, and the land.
We look forward to supporting your natural resource conservation goals!
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Ready to apply for a CFP with Gold Ridge?
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The first step is filling out our online
CFP Application Form
.
Once submitted, Gold Ridge RCD will review your application and contact you within a month on next steps.
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What you will need to apply:
- Landowner Information
- Lessee Information (if applicable)
- Total agricultural acreage
- Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)
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Access our new, streamlined CFP application form
by
clicking the button below.
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