Carbon Farming: From the Carbon Farming: From the Oil Age to the Soil AgeOil Age to the Soil Age

Grazing TallGrazing Tall

Carbon Farmers of AmericaCarbon Farmers of AmericaA start-up ecosystem service aggregator/broker based on A start-up ecosystem service aggregator/broker based on

rapid topsoil formation by graziersrapid topsoil formation by graziers Topsoil can be created hundreds to Topsoil can be created hundreds to

thousands of times faster than is thousands of times faster than is widely understood.widely understood.

New topsoil is the only carbon sink New topsoil is the only carbon sink on earth that can quickly sequester on earth that can quickly sequester the excess greenhouse gases in our the excess greenhouse gases in our atmosphere.atmosphere.

Livestock are the primary tool that Livestock are the primary tool that makes rapid topsoil formation makes rapid topsoil formation possible.possible.

Grassfarmers are the front line in Grassfarmers are the front line in building new topsoil and stabilizing building new topsoil and stabilizing our climate. They will need to be our climate. They will need to be paid to do the job.paid to do the job.

We need to make alliances with We need to make alliances with environmentalists to make this environmentalists to make this happen.happen.

What if there was a single carbon sink What if there was a single carbon sink on earth that could rapidly:on earth that could rapidly:

Restore pre-industrial levels of greenhouse gases within Restore pre-industrial levels of greenhouse gases within decades?decades?

Solve the global water crisis?Solve the global water crisis? Reverse desertification?Reverse desertification? Restore biodiversity?Restore biodiversity? Halt the sixth extinction event?Halt the sixth extinction event? Maximize global food security?Maximize global food security? Contribute significantly to healing the oceans?Contribute significantly to healing the oceans? Create the foundation of a solar civilization?Create the foundation of a solar civilization?

Soil organic matter Soil organic matter sustains agriculture, sustains agriculture,

which sustains which sustains civilizationcivilization

____________________

Soil organic matter Soil organic matter generates and generates and

regulates every regulates every ecosystemecosystem service that service that sustains life on earth.sustains life on earth.

Topsoil loss in excess of topsoil Topsoil loss in excess of topsoil formation formation has beenhas been thethe defining characteristic of defining characteristic of

agriculture.agriculture. Estimates of past losses of Carbon from terrestrial Estimates of past losses of Carbon from terrestrial

stocks:stocks:– 66-90 billion tons (Rattan Lal, Ohio State U.) 66-90 billion tons (Rattan Lal, Ohio State U.) – ~200 billion tons (Charles Rice, University of Kansas)~200 billion tons (Charles Rice, University of Kansas)

Topsoil loss is as old as farming, land management Topsoil loss is as old as farming, land management by fire, hunting of ungulate herds and their by fire, hunting of ungulate herds and their predators and livestock domestication. The oil age predators and livestock domestication. The oil age has accelerated this trend. Global warming began has accelerated this trend. Global warming began with topsoil loss many thousands of years ago.with topsoil loss many thousands of years ago.

Carbon-rich topsoil is the Carbon-rich topsoil is the foundation of wealth creation on foundation of wealth creation on earth and the “Fort Knox” of solar earth and the “Fort Knox” of solar

economics. economics. Carbon is the currency of life. Carbon is the currency of life. The rapid formation of carbon-The rapid formation of carbon-

rich topsoil is rich topsoil is thethe greatest priority greatest priority and opportunity of our time.and opportunity of our time.

Getting Real about Food Security Getting Real about Food Security

““To keep up with the growth in human To keep up with the growth in human population, more food will have to be grown population, more food will have to be grown worldwide over the next 50 years than has worldwide over the next 50 years than has been during the past 10,000 years been during the past 10,000 years combined .” combined .”

2008 Icelandic Soil and Climate Conference.2008 Icelandic Soil and Climate Conference.

How does carbon get into the soil?How does carbon get into the soil?

Stable SOM comes largely Stable SOM comes largely from Nightly Carbon Exudates from Nightly Carbon Exudates

From Plant Roots. From Plant Roots. Chemically similar to nectar.Chemically similar to nectar. Feeds organisms in the rhizosphere.Feeds organisms in the rhizosphere. Up-to half, and often more, of the products of Up-to half, and often more, of the products of

photosynthesis are exuded into the rhizosphere.photosynthesis are exuded into the rhizosphere. Carbon-rich exudates from grass roots are the Carbon-rich exudates from grass roots are the

“cheapest, most efficient and most beneficial form “cheapest, most efficient and most beneficial form of organic carbon for soil life.”of organic carbon for soil life.”

Carbon Exudates and Root Carbon Exudates and Root Prune-off After GrazingPrune-off After Grazing

Carbon exudates from plant roots feed soil organisms, which feed soil nutrients to plants.

Photo: Dr. Christine Jones

Rate of Growth and Volume of Rate of Growth and Volume of Plant Roots Per Unit of Soil Plant Roots Per Unit of Soil

Dictate Soil Carbon IncreaseDictate Soil Carbon Increase Aim for big, Aim for big,

dense root dense root networks networks growing as growing as rapidly as rapidly as possible….possible…. Photo: Dr. Christine Jones

The Microbial Bridge to The Microbial Bridge to Humus. Humus.

FungiFungi BacteriaBacteria AlgaeAlgae ProtozoaProtozoa NematodesNematodes Micro-arthropodsMicro-arthropods EarthwormsEarthworms InsectsInsects Small vertebratesSmall vertebrates

Images: Dr. Elaine Ingham, Soil Foodweb,

Inc.

All of our hopes, plans and possibilities are ultimately determined by the state of four

biosphere processes:

Solar Energy Flow

Biological Community Dynamics

Water Cycle

Mineral Cycle.

Ecosystem servicesEcosystem services are generated and are generated and regulated by regulated by topsoiltopsoil, the product of the proper , the product of the proper functioning of the four functioning of the four biosphere processesbiosphere processes..

UN Millennium Ecosystem UN Millennium Ecosystem AssessmentAssessmentEcosystem Services:Ecosystem Services:

Food: – Crops– Livestock– Capture fisheries– Aquaculture– Wild foods

Fiber Timber Wood Fuel Genetic resources Biochemicals and medicines New products and industry from

biodiversity Fresh water

Regulating Services:– Air quality regulation– Climate regulation – global– Climate regulation – regional and

local– Water regulation– Nutrient cycling– Erosion regulation– Water purification, waste treatment,

detoxification– Ecosystem regulation of disease in

humans, livestock and wildlife– Pest regulation– Pollination

Natural Hazard Management: Protection from flood and fire

Cultural and Amenity Services Spiritual and religious values Aesthetic values Recreation and Tourism

The state of the The state of the biosphere processesbiosphere processes is determined is determined by the state of the by the state of the soil surface.soil surface.

Desertification, Biodiversity Loss, The Water Crisis, Desertification, Biodiversity Loss, The Water Crisis, Climate Change, Disease Outbreaks, Food Climate Change, Disease Outbreaks, Food

Insecurity, (etc.) are all one issue.Insecurity, (etc.) are all one issue.

Kachana Ranch, AU

Mega-herd Impact and The Mega-herd Impact and The Importance of LitterImportance of Litter

The Global Carbon CycleThe Global Carbon Cycle

Current atmospheric CO2 Level: Current atmospheric CO2 Level: 385 Parts Per Million385 Parts Per MillionTarget: < 300 p.p.m.Target: < 300 p.p.m.

Amount of carbon to be relocated to soils: Around 200 billion metric Amount of carbon to be relocated to soils: Around 200 billion metric tons.tons.

Possible timeframe: 10-20 years.Possible timeframe: 10-20 years. Cost of creating the foundation for solar civilizationCost of creating the foundation for solar civilization: : Priceless.Priceless. Just Kidding. The cost will be much lower than a single year (2005) of Just Kidding. The cost will be much lower than a single year (2005) of

gross world product – $59.38 trillion.gross world product – $59.38 trillion. If we estimate an agricultural multiplier effect of 7, which trickles UP If we estimate an agricultural multiplier effect of 7, which trickles UP

through the economy, the cost of the job turns into hundreds of trillions through the economy, the cost of the job turns into hundreds of trillions of dollars worth of economic activity. of dollars worth of economic activity.

Using substitution analysis, let’s add the full value of the ecosystem Using substitution analysis, let’s add the full value of the ecosystem services thus generated. services thus generated. Beyond Priceless.Beyond Priceless.

The 21The 21stst century version of the Civilian Conservation Corps will be a century version of the Civilian Conservation Corps will be a global web of local topsoil formation by communities with intimate global web of local topsoil formation by communities with intimate knowledge of the land rebuilding watersheds and bioregions.knowledge of the land rebuilding watersheds and bioregions.

Welcome to the transition to a solar civilization.Welcome to the transition to a solar civilization.

Building the Solar Economy:Building the Solar Economy:

Parity Pricing. Production plus profit.Parity Pricing. Production plus profit. Charles Wilkens. Progressive Farmers of Charles Wilkens. Progressive Farmers of

Iowa. 1930’3Iowa. 1930’3 The Stegnall Amendment, 1942.The Stegnall Amendment, 1942. This time around, humus production is This time around, humus production is

paramount.paramount. The way out of the current economic crisis The way out of the current economic crisis

is our opportunity to build a solar civilization.is our opportunity to build a solar civilization.

Strategies to ReduceStrategies to Reduce Atmospheric CO Atmospheric CO22

Strategies

Reduce fossilfuel consumption

Identify sinks andsequestration

rate

Improve efficiencyRenewable

energy sourcesTerrestrial

Aquatic

Soils Plants

Geologic

IPCC Emissions Reductions Warning Label!

IPCC: Emissions Reductions Are IPCC: Emissions Reductions Are Not Enough.Not Enough.

In 2007 the IPCC reported that instantaneous and In 2007 the IPCC reported that instantaneous and "complete elimination of CO2 emissions is "complete elimination of CO2 emissions is estimated to lead to a slow decrease in estimated to lead to a slow decrease in atmospheric CO2 of about 40 ppm over the 21st atmospheric CO2 of about 40 ppm over the 21st century." In other words, elimination of fossil fuel century." In other words, elimination of fossil fuel emissions alone has emissions alone has nono leverage in decreasing leverage in decreasing dangerously high concentrations of greenhouse dangerously high concentrations of greenhouse gases on a relevant schedule. gases on a relevant schedule. Technology is not Technology is not enough.enough.

““Carbon Neutral” and “Offset” initiatives are Carbon Neutral” and “Offset” initiatives are equivalent equivalent to complete emissions cessation and to complete emissions cessation and thus thus are not enough.are not enough.

Carbon Farming

Graphic: Peter Donovan

Keeling Keeling CurveCurve

Burning BiomassBurning Biomass

Biomass Burning is responsible for 40% of annual Biomass Burning is responsible for 40% of annual emissions of C02. (NASA)emissions of C02. (NASA)

Grassland burning is responsible for almost three Grassland burning is responsible for almost three times the emissions of tropical forest burning.times the emissions of tropical forest burning.

Replace burning of grasslands with grazing and Replace burning of grasslands with grazing and mega-herd impact and bank the carbon in the soil mega-herd impact and bank the carbon in the soil instead.instead.

We must be conscious of current temperature We must be conscious of current temperature reductions due to global dimming from biomass reductions due to global dimming from biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion!burning and fossil fuel combustion!

The True Scale of “The Job”The True Scale of “The Job”

Reduce annual emissions from combustion to Reduce annual emissions from combustion to levels that are matched by biological levels that are matched by biological sequestration.sequestration.

Relocate about 200 billion tons of carbon from the Relocate about 200 billion tons of carbon from the atmosphere to the soils of the world by increasing atmosphere to the soils of the world by increasing average soil organic matter levels about 2% to a average soil organic matter levels about 2% to a foot of depth on 5.1 billion hectares of agricultural foot of depth on 5.1 billion hectares of agricultural and grazing land. (I.e., from 2% to 4% organic and grazing land. (I.e., from 2% to 4% organic matter, assuming a conservative soil bulk density matter, assuming a conservative soil bulk density of 1.2 g/cmof 1.2 g/cm33.).)

In the last fifty years the global regenerative In the last fifty years the global regenerative agriculture movement has discovered dozens of agriculture movement has discovered dozens of ways to build topsoil quickly in every environment. ways to build topsoil quickly in every environment.

We have the tools to do “The Job” today. There is We have the tools to do “The Job” today. There is no good reason left on earth not to begin the job in no good reason left on earth not to begin the job in earnest.earnest.

Carbon Farmers of America has synthesized all of Carbon Farmers of America has synthesized all of these tools into a dynamic curriculum and an these tools into a dynamic curriculum and an analysis and implementation process: The Carbon analysis and implementation process: The Carbon Farming Toolbox.Farming Toolbox.

Almost any land manager can gain sufficient Almost any land manager can gain sufficient understanding of these tools for practical understanding of these tools for practical implementation with a few weeks of training, plus implementation with a few weeks of training, plus support through ongoing, structured study groups.support through ongoing, structured study groups.

The CFA Carbon Farming Toolbox: 34 strategies for The CFA Carbon Farming Toolbox: 34 strategies for increasing soil health and organic matter.increasing soil health and organic matter.

Allan Savory and Holistic Allan Savory and Holistic ManagementManagement

How does carbon cycle How does carbon cycle in seasonally dry in seasonally dry environments?environments?

Grass, Soil, Ungulates, Predators Grass, Soil, Ungulates, Predators have all co-evolved.have all co-evolved.

The Big Idea: The primary tools on earth that can The Big Idea: The primary tools on earth that can build new topsoil are great herds of livestock build new topsoil are great herds of livestock managed in a way that simulates the behavior of managed in a way that simulates the behavior of the great wild herds in the presence of predators. the great wild herds in the presence of predators. Mega-herds are the big guns of biomimicry.Mega-herds are the big guns of biomimicry.

We can restore any terrestrial environment, brittle We can restore any terrestrial environment, brittle or non-brittle. This will go far toward healing the or non-brittle. This will go far toward healing the oceans.oceans.

Grazing is the single largest use of land on earth.

Photo: Dan Dagget

Babbit Ranch

Multiply the hoof-print at left by Multiply the hoof-print at left by trillions to get a sense of what it trillions to get a sense of what it

means to “reverse means to “reverse desertification.”desertification.”

Keyline Soilbuilding: P.A. Yeomans Keyline Soilbuilding: P.A. Yeomans and Familyand Family

1953 1958 1968 1971

2005200419941974

Keyline Soil Development: Graze, Keyline Soil Development: Graze, subsoil, water, recover, repeat.subsoil, water, recover, repeat.

A healthy future is built on deep, high-A healthy future is built on deep, high-carbon, covered topsoil. carbon, covered topsoil.

Re-thinking carbon pricingRe-thinking carbon pricing

Carbon pricing needs to reflect the value of soil Carbon pricing needs to reflect the value of soil carbon. We cannot continue to undervalue carbon. We cannot continue to undervalue carbon. Soil Carbon is worth carbon. Soil Carbon is worth manymany more times more times than carbon credits generated by emissions than carbon credits generated by emissions reductions or technological offsets.reductions or technological offsets.

Nutrients and HNutrients and H22O contained in 1 kg of humus = $.20O contained in 1 kg of humus = $.20Rational price = $200/ton of C (Rattan Lal)Rational price = $200/ton of C (Rattan Lal)Add Add the value of the other ecosystem services the value of the other ecosystem services

generated to estimate the full value.generated to estimate the full value.

Where will the money come from?Where will the money come from?

Carbon Markets are projected to become the Carbon Markets are projected to become the largest commodity market on earth.largest commodity market on earth.

US: Cap and Trade in Legislation in 2009. US: Cap and Trade in Legislation in 2009. Regional Agreements (RGGI) will start up in 2009Regional Agreements (RGGI) will start up in 2009

Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) has legs Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) has legs globally. PES development in cooperation with globally. PES development in cooperation with stakeholders is mandated in the current Farm Bill.stakeholders is mandated in the current Farm Bill.

2012 Farm Bill. Human self-interest suggests that 2012 Farm Bill. Human self-interest suggests that increasing soil carbon should be the central increasing soil carbon should be the central concern.concern.

Proposal: Environmentalists, Proposal: Environmentalists, graziers and farmers can form an graziers and farmers can form an

historic alliance.historic alliance. We carbon farmers will refine our skills and We carbon farmers will refine our skills and

put rapid topsoil formation into effect.put rapid topsoil formation into effect. Soil Carbon Monitoring is not an obstacle – Soil Carbon Monitoring is not an obstacle –

it is a key.it is a key. Will you exercise your creativity and Will you exercise your creativity and

lobbying power to help us to make soil lobbying power to help us to make soil carbon the carbon the centercenter of carbon markets, public of carbon markets, public lands policy and the 2012 farm bill?lands policy and the 2012 farm bill?

CFA and Cornell Study.

David Pimentel, lead scientist.

Filling the Data Gap: Holistic Research

Measuring Soil Carbon Increase and Ecosystem Service Provision Under Optimized Management of

Grassland Farms and RanchesPurposes:

To measure the rate and volume of increase of soil organic carbon to

four feet of depth on twenty grassland farms and ranches over

two years, quantify and characterize changes to soil

physical, chemical and biological properties and quantify attendant

ecosystem service provision.

Please Join UsPlease Join Us

www.carbonfarmersofamerica.comwww.carbonfarmersofamerica.com www.soilcarboncoalition.orgwww.soilcarboncoalition.org