Montana farmers could profit from carbon

By next year, area farmers could have the opportunity to receive an extra check for planting crops based on the amount of oxygen their crops produce.

Carbon sequestration

Montana farmers and ranchers will soon be able to benefit financially from the amount of carbon their crops or land sequesters from the air through the National Carbon Offset Coalition.Carbon sequestration, the removal of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, is considered a valuable resource in the effort to reverse climate change.

Ellen Robinson – Sidney Herald

http://sidneyherald.com/articles/2004/04/19/news/news01.txt

Carbon dioxide, produced by the combustion of coal and petroleum products, is the main gas linked to global warming.

Forests and croplands sequester carbon dioxide because plants absorb the gas and emit oxygen as they grow. Carbon sequestration is viewed as one of the most effective tools available to combat global warming.

"Montana is the lead state in this. I have made presentations in Washington, D.C. Montana has been recognized by the energy and conservation departments for our efforts," Mark Lindberg, agriculture and energy officer, Montana Economic Development, said.

The National Carbon Offset Coalition, which is based in Butte, is working to create a new marketable commodity, carbon credits, from urban and private forests and croplands. The coalition offers a range of program services to give clients the opportunity to purchase carbon credits. The coalition has developed the services that allow Montana landowners and farmers to participate in the emerging carbon markets. "We are doing this because we feel it’s the right thing to do for the environment, plus it adds an opportunity for Montana people to receive some extra money," Lindberg said.

The National Carbon Offset Coalition, which is based in Butte, is working to create a new marketable commodity, carbon credits, from urban and private forests and croplands. The coalition offers a range of program services to give clients the opportunity to purchase carbon credits. The coalition has developed the services that allow Montana landowners and farmers to participate in the emerging carbon markets. "We are doing this because we feel it’s the right thing to do for the environment, plus it adds an opportunity for Montana people to receive some extra money," Lindberg said.

The effort is being led by Montana State University in collaboration with the Governor’s Working Group and National Carbon Offset Coalition on pilot projects.

"Montana State University is conducting research on what cropland soil and eventually rangeland soil can do to sequester carbon from the air. The research is in the preliminary stages," Lindberg said.

There will be a carbon sequestration workshop for Montana landowners June 8 in Great Falls. "The farmers and ranchers will be able to receive additional checks for following conservation tillage practices. Some farmers already practice conservation tillage so they will be able to get an extra check for that," Lindberg said.

The National Carbon Offset Coalition facilitated a trade in 2000 between the Salish and Kootenia Tribes of Montana and the London office of Sustainable Forestry Management. The London office of Sustainable Forestry Management purchased emissions reduction offsets through reforestation of tribal lands of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana. The proceeds from this transaction are being used to reforest land decimated by forest fires in 1994.

The parties expect improved soil quality, protection of the region’s ecosystem and new sources of revenue for local communities to come from the transaction.

"By establishing a private market for carbon emission reduction credits, carbon emitting companies now have the opportunity to aggregate credits in anticipation of stricter regulations and make the first important step in reducing greenhouse gas concentrations and improving the overall health of the ecosystem," Lindberg said.

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