Confronting Carbon-Smart Farming: A Paradigm Shift for Climate Change

1. Confronting Carbon-Smart Farming Negative Carbon-Negative Climate Change PARADIGM SHIFT 20th Century 21st Century an introduction How to high carbon low carbon low carbon Sequester Carbon Global Warming Regenerate Soil Unstable Economics antibiotic probiotic Biological Degeneration Nutrient-Dense Food Fossil Fuel Addiction Produce Biofuels

2. Confronting Carbon-Smart Farming Climate Change a DEFINItion 1. Soil Tests • annual increase in measured carbon, up to 9% 2. Mineral Ratios • program to adjust major minerals & trace elements 3. Biochars • minimum annual application: initial 1000 lbs./acre 4. Composts • organic matter digestion & feeding program 5. Inoculants • microbe inoculation & feeding for The Soil Food Web Cover Crops 6. Cover Crops • continuous ground cover & minimum tillage • continuous ground cover • & minimum tillage 7. Rotations • long-term, rapid rotations of crops & livestock 8. Marketing • low carbon, eco-local distribution & sale

3. National Conference on Cover Crops & Soil Health Soil health is a new initiative of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) February 18, 2014 kicks off this major effort Forum on Cover Crops and Soil Health: Harvesting the Potential webinar broadcast live from Omaha 200 free meetings and soil health demonstrations Howard Buffett IL farmer, conservationist, philanthropist Tom Vilsack USDA Secretary of Agriculture The Big Picture: Conservation, Cover Crops & Soil Health Four Midwest cash crop farmers Dan DeSutter, IN - Dave Brandt, OH Clay Mitchell, IA - Gabe Brown, ND noted for focus on soil health, cover crops conservation tillage, and farm profitability will describe benefits of their soil management Cover crop use ranges from cereal rye& ryegrass to crimson clover, hairy vetch & oilseed radishes After the webinar: local discussion groups plan Grower Discussion meetings & summer field days Info & assistance for soil health management Confronting Carbon-Smart Farming Under Cover Farmers Cover Crops Climate Change Summer : industrial-scale agriculture • continuous ground cover • & minimum tillage Four Practices set Brandt apart from other farmers Identical to farms from Ohio to Nebraska – vast fields of corn & soybeans www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWXCLVCJWTU First: dedication to off-season cover crops Currently used on 1% of US farmland yearly Winter : no-till, cover crop agriculture Neighbors’ fields lie fallow – bare & brown Brandt’s fields are green with cover crops Fall plantings with up to 14 plant species – – blanket soil in winter – protect soil from extreme weather – feed sugar to soil microbes – support biological diversity & complexity – rot in place in spring Second: hostility to tilling  Sold his tillage equipment in 1971 Considers tillage a disruptive practice Disassembles soil food web infrastructures Third: fondness for earthworms Fourth: adds wheat to corn-soy rotation Corn-soy favored all over Corn Belt Third crop disrupts weed & pest patterns 28-minute youtubevideo Half Brandt’s corn & soy flourish without fertilizer, and no herbicides; Other half gets less than consultants recommend “Try to mimic Mother Nature. Cover crops work together like a community  – you have many people helping instead of one.” Three farmers in Stanley County, NC on how they use multi-species cover crops to realize economic returns on their investment the first year 2012 Iowa State University study:  3rd crop cuts herbicide & agrichemical use Promise of no-till, cover-crop Farming USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Advocates Soil Stewardship Trains agents to teach farmers about cover crops Brandt’s farm is a site used to train NRCS agents Reduce agrichemical use Regenerate soil food web biology Adapt to extreme weather & climate Keep heartland churning out food  David Brandt 1,200 acre farm Carroll, central Ohio (pop. 524) video produced in partnership by Dr. Robin 'Buz' Kloot, Earth Sciences & Resources Institute University of South Carolina USDA NRCS East National Technology Support Center National Conference on Cover Crops & Soil Health

4. Confronting Carbon-Smart Farming Climate Change a DEFINItion 1. Soil Tests • annual increase in measured carbon, up tp 9% 2. Mineral Ratios • fertility program to adjust element levels 3. Biochars • minimum annual application: initial 500 lbs./acre 4. Composts • soil digestive system & feeding program 5. Inoculants • microbial inoculation & feeding program 6. Cover Crops • continuous ground cover & minimum tillage 7. Rotations Rotations • long-term, rapid rotations • long-term, rapid rotations of crops & livestock • of crops & livestock 8. Marketing • Low carbon, eco-local distribution

5. Carbon-Smart Farming Confronting Climate Change Rotations Soil Carbon Coalition www.soilcarboncoalition.org • long-term, rapid rotations • of crops & livestock put the carbon back where it belongs To advance the practice and engage people in opportunities to turn atmospheric carbon into soil organic matter Livestock • : land improvement by grazing UK National Trust Dr. Allan Savory Holistic Management Grass-fed beef is better for people and land. Feeding cattle grass throughout their life is the most sustainable way to raise beef. • Carbon Farmers of America Abe Collins Joel Salatin • Mob grazing & Chicken tractor Greg Judy • Grass-fed beef This is contrary to belief livestock farming must intensify to feed increasing population. • Biological Agriculture Gary Zimmer www.ted.com/talks/allan_savory_how_to_green_the_world_s_deserts_and_reverse_climate_change Debate on climate change & food often calls for reduced meat eating and plant-based diet, but overlooks the fact many grasslands are unsuitable for continuous cropping. Crops • : carbon storage by plant biomass • plant successions & services Grasslands support many ecosystem services: watersheds, wildlife, biodiversity, carbon capture, weather, etc. • biodiversity & polycultures • plant & insect communities • weed & pest control Grazing livestock can contribute to grassland maintenance to turn grass into human food. • home-grown fertility

6. Carbon-Smart Farming Confronting Climate Change Rotations • long-term, rapid rotations • of crops & livestock Karoo Region of South Africa average rainfall: 23 cm/year Conventional Continuous Grazing Holistic Planned Grazing higher stocking densities tightly packed herds frequent movements well-planned rotations no technology, irrigation, or fertilizer mimic behavior of natural herds with predators quickens desertification Reversing desertification is a global warming mitigation strategy because carbon is stored in stable, long-lasting organic matter in soil Conversion of semi-desert to healthy savanna= carbon capture of 25 to 60 t C/ha Improvement in soil and vegetation restores water tables Vegetation cover contributes to evaporative cooling PHOTO: Kroon Family

7. Carbon-Smart Farming Confronting Climate Change Rotations Zimbabwe • long-term, rapid rotations • of crops & livestock average rainfall: 60 cm/year Barren land eroding for decades transformed to healthy grassland savanna Karoo Region of South Africa average rainfall: 23 cm/year Conventional Continuous Grazing Holistic Planned Grazing In one year, fast-growing, short-rooted annuals start to grow (white stringy plants) Land is put in a monitored grazing plan heavy concentration of 500 cattle corralled on site 7 to 10 evenings left excess dung & plant litter higher stocking densities tightly packed herds frequent movements well-planned rotations no technology, irrigation, or fertilizer mimic behavior of natural herds with predators quickens desertification Eventually, as grazing plan continues, site will be covered in perennials If grazing stops, plants oxidize, and land likely returns to desert After full recovery in 25−30 years, SOC density will increase to 25−60 tons C/ha Dense annuals provide ground cover to retain moisture & build biodiversity in soil Annuals are first-phase in restoration, but soil carbon capture is minimal After 8 years, perennials appear (taller pinkish-beige plants) Deep roots accelerate soil carbon capture Photos: ACHM, Seth Itzkan PHOTO: Kroon Family

8. Carbon-Smart Farming Confronting Climate Change Rotations • long-term, rapid rotations • of crops & livestock Las Pilas Ranch, Coahuila, Mexico average rainfall: 50 cm/year Karoo Region of South Africa In 25 years, barren land completely revived average rainfall: 23 cm/year Conventional Continuous Grazing Holistic Planned Grazing higher stocking densities tightly packed herds frequent movements well-planned rotations no technology, irrigation, or fertilizer mimic behavior of natural herds with predators Pond is grown over and no longer needed, as dried-up springs flow year-round again Looks to be more water in 1963, but runoff was captured by a man-made pond; a 1-inch rain filled the pond quickens desertification even a 6-inch rain is all absorbed, with no standing water in the pond PHOTOS: Guillermo Osuna Restoration with Holistic Planned Grazing started in 1978 Livestock doubled; grazing by a plan to give close attention to grass health In 2003, restored land holds six times more water than depleted terrain Water is held in soil and vegetation in a state called “green water” PHOTO: Kroon Family