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yield some valuable environmental benefits, at the same degree,” he said.
but are unlikely to achieve large-scale emissions Areas of the South, including Alabama and
reductions.”
Georgia, with a long growing season as well as
They don’t think storing carbon in the soil is ample rainfall also have a lot of potential, as
yet proven to be an effective way to fight cli- well as irrigated regions. Building soil carbon
mate change overall, and they worry converting will be harder for farmers in hot, dry areas such
cropland to pasture would only result in convert- as the southern and western Plains, he said.
ing other lands to crop production in order to Asked about the potential regional disparities
maintain food supplies. in carbon payments, American Farm Bureau

“Given the projected global need for at least Federation spokeswoman Terri Moore said,
50% more crops per year by 2050 relative to “Regional variances and diversity are important
2010, removing cropland from production in to recognize. That’s why we support a voluntary
one field without additional efforts to make up system that includes climate hubs and a wide
the food deficit requires plowing up land else- range of options so farmers and ranchers can
where to replace the food production. That find the best program for their land.”
releases carbon stored in both soils and plants,”
offsetting the original carbon reduction, WRI Suspicion about a private market
researchers say.
One immediate problem the private markets
Some policymakers have suggested expand- face is a shortage of technical assistance for
ing USDA’s land-idling Conservation Reserve farmers who want to assess their potential to
Program as a way to sequester carbon and participate, said Reed of the ESMC.
increase commodity prices, but the idea so far A bipartisan bill introduced in the House and
appears to have little congressional support. Senate this year, the Growing Climate Solu-
Economists warn overseas competitors would tions Act, is intended help address that short-
likely expand production to make up for a cut age by authorizing USDA to certify private
in U.S. crop acreage.
entities to advise farmers and verify the validity
WRI also argues that adding manure to fields of carbon offsets.
can increase soil carbon, but “the feasibility But a key Senate Republican, Sen. John
of scaling such practices over large areas to Boozman, R-Ark., who will be the chairman
substantially increase soil carbon and mitigate of ranking member of the Senate Agriculture
climate change is much less clear.” Committee in the next Congress, isn’t sold yet

Meanwhile, the potential regional dispari- on private carbon markets. He said he’s con-
ties could create political challenges for pol- cerned that most of the economic benefits will
icymakers if the government is involved in go to the companies that trade in the credits, not
carbon markets. the farmers that generate the offsets.

Hatfield, the soil scientist, says that farmers Reflecting suspicions among some farmers, the
in the Corn Belt has the best chance to benefit National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition pre-
from selling carbon offsets because the region’s fers to see the federal government focus first on
soil and climate, including reliable precipitation, expanding conservation assistance through the
make it ideal for producing vegetation and deep Conservation Stewardship Program to promote
roots. “That’s not to say that we won’t, we can’t, climate-friendly practices. Before a private
do it in any other parts, it’s just not going to be carbon market emerges, it’s crucial “to have

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