Farm Bureau Explores World Of Carbon

It is a natural fit to focus on our environmental impact in the spring. In fact, the entire month of April is dedicated to the awareness of our Earth’s resources and how we can steward them.  

For farmers, that stewardship carries throughout the year. The conservation practices farmers across the country have been implementing for decades are building a carbon portfolio and helping us reach our goals of carbon neutrality. 

Agricultural emissions have fallen to the lowest level in 10 years. A recent report by the Environmental Protection Agency shared that agriculture has slashed emissions by nearly 2% – the largest decrease of any economic sector. 

As the calendar turns closer to the carbon-neutrality goal deadlines, Wisconsin Farm Bureau aims to empower farmers with the tools and resources to make informed decisions. 

Carbon has been referred to as the “wild west.” It is a new territory, there are a lot of players and a constant stream of new information to decipher.  

During Earth Week, Wisconsin Farm Bureau hosted a three-part webinar series titled “Carbon Perspectives Throughout the Supply Chain.” The webinars explored carbon considerations at the research level, farm gate and consumer brands.  

The first webinar was hosted by Dr. Frank Mitloehner from U.C. Davis. Mitloehner is a professor and air quality specialist in cooperative extension in the Department of Animal Science at U.C. Davis. “Cow farts” are often blamed for climate change. While methane is a potent greenhouse gas, it is short-lived in the atmosphere. Methane is emitted from cow burps and manure, but it is also absorbed in the biogenic carbon cycle. It is a flow gas, meaning it is destroyed as quickly as it is produced so the levels of methane in the atmosphere are stagnant. Dr. Mitloehner shared the latest research and tools that are helping to further reduce methane’s impact on the environment.  

Ben Huber from Insight FS hosted the second webinar. Huber offered valuable information for farmers to consider as they explore opportunities in carbon markets. He explained the difference between carbon offsets and carbon intensity and the different opportunities available in each space. No matter the route a farmer chooses to take, accurate data collection is key to success. Ben also encourages farmers to work with a trusted advisor to guide them through the contracts and data collection process.  

The webinar series concluded with Dan Christenson from PepsiCo. You can find at least one PepsiCo product in 94% of U.S. households. PepsiCo is home to many of your favorite chips such as Lays, Fritos, Cheetos and Doritos in addition to its robust soft drink category. The company has a large footprint in Wisconsin with two production facilities in the state and a large supply of potatoes sourced from the central sands. PepsiCo is seed-to-shelf, involved in every step of the supply chain. The company sources ingredients from all over the country and recognizes that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work when it comes to sustainability. PepsiCo’s sustainability initiative called Pep+ meets growers where they are at. Everything they do is in partnership with farmers and experts.