U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a significant $300 million investment by the Department of Agriculture to enhance the measurement and reporting of emissions from the nation’s agriculture and forestry sectors. This funding, derived from the Inflation Reduction Act, the U.S.’s climate law, aims to establish a research network for monitoring carbon levels in soil, a key factor in determining greenhouse gas storage in the ground. Additionally, it will enhance the agency’s data management capabilities and refine research methods for quantifying and analyzing greenhouse gases.

The Environmental Protection Agency reported that agriculture contributed to approximately 10% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2021. One of the primary objectives of this research is to optimize the system that rewards farmers for adopting climate-friendly practices. “It’s important and necessary that we create multiple ways for farmers to generate revenue in income,” Vilsack stated in a news conference on Tuesday.

Farmers can reduce their emissions through methods like no-till agriculture or planting cover crops, which lead to healthier, less erosive soil and potentially increase carbon storage, thus reducing atmospheric carbon release. However, a 2019 study published in Nature pointed out uncertainties regarding the extent of emission reductions through soil carbon storage.

Experts stress the need for more data to accurately assess climate impacts. Measuring the amount of carbon dioxide stored in soil is a complex and labor-intensive task. Furthermore, transitioning to new farming practices can be financially challenging for farmers, especially if it involves yield losses or purchasing new seeds.

Proponents of this initiative believe that a deeper understanding of this data could pave the way for a more effective carbon market. This would enable farmers to be compensated for conservation efforts and protect them from financial risks associated with operational changes.

Shalamar Armstrong, an associate professor of agronomy at Purdue University specializing in soil science, supports this approach. In an email, he mentioned, “When policy helps farmers get compensation for better soil health practices and is at the heart of a national conversation that involves the government, academia, and industry, that is a good thing.” This initiative marks a significant step towards integrating environmental considerations into agricultural practices.