By Karl THIDEMANN, Seth ITZKAN, and Bill MCKIBBEN

Across the nation, the first wave of a political movement rooted in agriculture’s role as a climate solution is gathering momentum. Unseen by most city dwellers and suburbanites, a carbon farming revolution is sweeping over the land. Driven by a mix of economic and ecological reasons, a growing number of farmers and ranchers are adopting practices to draw down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, where it overheats the planet, into soil, where it boosts fertility. Plants have performed this pollution-to-nutrition alchemy nearly forever, with the deep, dark loam found in the world’s breadbaskets attesting to soil’s ability to keep carbon out of the air for thousands of years. Research suggests photosynthesis could “lock up” enough carbon to help civilization avert a climate catastrophe - assuming, of course, emissions from coal, oil, and natural gas are swiftly reduced through the deployment of renewable energy technologies.

Converting agriculture, from a net source of greenhouse gases to a net sink, flips the climate imperative from “do less harm” to “do more good,” a proactive planetary healing that recognizes ecological restoration is climate mitigation. As one sign that so-called regenerative agriculture is going mainstream, Kiss The Ground, a California-based advocacy organization, will soon release a soil documentary featuring cameos by a celebrity couple not known for farm activism: Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen.

The right policies, of course, will be key to hastening a transition to climate-friendly agriculture, and democracy is answering the call. Healthy soil has risen from an obscure topic to a key issue for a small but swelling cadre of candidates able to think beyond the next election cycle.

• Audrey Denney, candidate for Congress in California’s 1st District, encourages voters to send her to Washington, D.C. to “fight for the health of our soils, our planet, and our future.” Denney, raised in a farming family, studied Agricultural Education then learned agro-ecology by assisting with projects in El Salvador and Ghana. “At a federal level, I’d work for more funding to increase the staff of the Natural Resource Conservation Service, which does a great job providing technical assistance on stewarding and building our soil health. I’m also committed to an outcome-based system rather than a practice-based system, empowering farmers to find creative and economically viable climate mitigation solutions,” said Denney.

 

• Bob Massie, a social justice activist, ordained minister, and former head of Ceres, an organization working to green the world’s largest companies, is campaigning to be the next governor of Massachusetts on a platform supporting agriculture’s unique role in reversing global warming. “Farmers, businesses, government agencies - even backyard gardeners - can manage land to capture carbon dioxide in soil and improve soil health,” said Massie.

 

• Also in Massachusetts, PhD physicist Gary Rucinski, Northeast Regional Coordinator for Citizens Climate Lobby, is hoping to unseat U.S. Representative Joe Kennedy III in the 4th Congressional District. According to the challenger, the incumbent doesn’t support the bold action needed to address the climate crisis, such as a transition to farming practices that mitigate climate change. “I am encouraged by draft Massachusetts legislation seeking to advance the practice of regenerative agriculture in the Commonwealth. Agriculture that improves soil carbon content is both a climate and a food security measure. As a representative in the U.S. Congress, I would advocate for changes to the federal Farm Bill to promote soil health,” said Rucinski.

 

• Nate Kleinman, well known Occupy activist and co-founder of the Experimental Farm Network, is running for U.S. Congress in New Jersey’s 2nd district. Equal parts organizer and farmer, Kleinman’s nonprofit is devoted to the collaborative breeding of plants resilient to a changing climate, with a focus on long-rooted perennial food crops that sequester carbon in soil. Kleinman promises to “Incentivize regenerative organic agriculture and small family farms, and support farmers who choose to transition to sustainable methods.”

 

• Arden Andersen, a physician, farmer, and regenerative agriculture educator running for governor of Kansas, recently tweeted, “Appropriate farm technology can make Kansas carbon neutral in 5 years due to carbon sequestration into soil humus.” Andersen is credited with coining the term “nutrient-dense,” used to describe food high in minerals and vitamins. Crops raised in carbon-rich soils derive all the nutrition they require for vigorous growth from bacteria and fungi working symbiotically with a plant’s root system, with no need for costly fossil fuel-based fertilizers and pesticides.

 

• Billy Garrett, running for lieutenant governor of New Mexico, wrote recently in the Santa Fe New Mexican that, “Regenerative agriculture and ranching practices - such as shifting from inorganic to organic fertilizer, planting cover crops and applying compost to rangeland - have the potential to substantially increase the amount of carbon sequestered in the soil while increasing yields and enhancing water retention.” Economic revitalization is also promised. “A revolution in regenerative agriculture could mean a new source of income for New Mexico’s rural communities, allowing farmers and ranchers to generate carbon offsets,” said Garrett.

Regenerative agriculture candidates have found a home on social media in the Twitter feed of Citizens Regeneration Lobby (CRL), the political lobbying arm of the 850,000-member strong Organic Consumers Association. Alexis Baden-Mayer, director of CRL, notes that the roster of traditional farm issues, such as the regulation of pesticides and fertilizer runoff, has expanded this political season to include recognition of agriculture’s role as the only sector of the economy poised to reverse climate change. “One of the most exciting aspects of regenerative agriculture is how quickly this climate mitigation tool can be ‘switched on.’ Farmers and ranchers can, within a few years, transition to land management practices that make their farms not just carbon-neutral but carbon-negative, sequestering more CO2 than is emitted. The remarkable potential of agriculture to sequester literally billions of tons of carbon annually offers a much needed glimmer of hope on the climate front,” said Baden-Mayer.

Elizabeth Kucinich, Board Policy Chair for the Rodale Institute, the oldest organic research organization in America, observes that improving degraded land offers economic and health benefits. “Returning carbon to soil boosts the natural capital of farms by helping farmers become more profitable and, by decreasing nutrient runoff, prevents algal blooms linked to human illness and harm to wildlife,” said Kucinich.

Heralded by California’s pioneering Healthy Soils Program, paying farmers to return carbon to soil, and France’s aspirational “4 per 1000” international initiative, encouraging farmers worldwide to enrich soil organic matter by 0.4% each year to stabilize the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, the regenerative agriculture transformation is well underway. It must accelerate, lest the planet bake for millennia.
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Seth Itzkan and Karl Thidemann are co-founders of Soil4Climate, a Vermont-based nonprofit advocating for soil restoration to reverse global warming. Bill McKibben is the Schumann distinguished scholar at Middlebury College and founder of the anti-climate change campaign group 350.org.

-- Notes from Steven Keleti to accommodate the map --
Hello all,
Quick summary: We need more help in Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Kansas, Kentucky and Missouri to build momentum.   Your help in any state makes it possible to expand the work in every state.
Texas and Pennsylvania are top priorities.
Latest good news: (Attached is the latest map of the status of state Healthy Soils legislation.)
Healthy Soils legislation for Massachusetts reported favorably and referred to House Ways and Means.
Draft legislation for Connecticut (deadline Feb 21) discussion with Environment Committee Chairs February 5th went well and Soil and Water Conservation Districts are supportive – on track for this legislation to be filed by deadline.
Draft legislation completed for Missouri (deadline Mar 1) - help needed to connect with Missouri supporters! draft removes sales tax exemption on fertilizers, pesticides, and fertilizers and commits that revenue to healthy soils fund.
Draft legislation started for Pennsylvania (filing deadline TBD)
Interest has been building in several states, including Texas, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New Mexico
Please reach out to those you know who may be interested in Healthy Soils legislation to join the Healthy Soils Legislation Google Group: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/healthy-soils-legislation
Upcoming deadlines:
Connecticut (committee bill filing deadline Feb 21)
Kentucky (filing deadline Feb 26)
Missouri (filing deadline Mar 1)
Ohio (filing deadline TBD)
Help is still needed to get bills on the docket! Getting Healthy Soils legislation on the docket increases awareness and education opportunities with legislators and their staffs. Who is interested?
Again, the letters on the map, indicating Senate and House members on the Agriculture Committees (chairs and co-chairs in a larger font), show why various states are higher priority, at least as far as shaping what happens in the Agriculture Committees relative to the September 2018 Farm Bill. Because of the lack of transparency from Republican legislators regarding the draft 2018 Farm Bill, a greater focus is being made on healthy soils legislation in states with Republican legislators.
Status on selected states:
Connecticut – On track for making legislative deadline of committee filing legislation by February 21st.
Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Kansas, Kentucky, and Missouri – Initial draft for Healthy Soils legislation done for each state
Need more contacts to support legislation
Each need a group to be lead supporter for legislation
For each state, need to identify legislators who will support healthy soils legislation
Massachusetts – Healthy Soils H.3713 reported out favorably – referred to House Ways and Means
Need help reaching out to legislators to move forward
Need to create cost-benefit summary for legislators who want to have an indication of what funding may be requested later
New York – Recommendations for updates to Carbon Farming bill need to be reviewed
Need to recommend changes to define “economic value of carbon farming”
Need to identify revenue source to offset revenue lost due to carbon tax credits
Oregon – 'Clean Energy Jobs' or 'Cap and Invest’, HB4001/SB1507 had first public hearing at 3pm on February 7th
Vermont – H.661 An act related to regenerative organic farming
Could draft a short Healthy Soils bill to improve/expand 2008 law beyond “cover crops” and “carbon sequestration”, to generate interest as amendment to another bill
Best regards,
Steven (Keleti)
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/healthy-soils-legislation

Dear Friends, Please help us spread the Soil4Climate movement by singing a verse and chorus of the Soil4Climate theme song, "Brand New Sky." Just make a selfie movie and tag us on Facebook and post with hashtags #BrandNewSky, #Soil4Climate, and #EarthDay. An instrumental version and lyrics and chords are available below and on our Artistic page.  This will be fun. Thank you so much!

Lyrics to Brand New Sky

​​Think of a world where everyone cares
About the land that everyone shares
Think of the soil that’s under your feet
And what it needs to make it complete
Under a brand new sky

We don’t have to settle for a dying planet
There is something we can do
We can save the land and everything upon it
All it takes is me and you

Take a look outside of your door
And find a world worth fighting for
Where there was once nothing to see
Now there is life all around me
Under a brand new sky

We don’t have to settle for a dying planet
There is something we can do
We can save the land and everything upon it
All it takes is me and you

The answer that we’re looking for is soil for climate
Put the carbon back in the ground
This can be a movement if we get behind it
Help us turn the world around

We don’t have to settle for a dying planet
There is something we can do
We can save the land and everything upon it
All it takes is me and you

© Kevin O’Connor and Seth Itzkan 2016

The best hats in the world are now available in our online store.  Please shop for them there. 

The soil4climate hats will be available soon.

​THETFORD, Vermont – March 8, 2018 – Soil4Climate today proudly welcomed to its Advisory Board Elaine Ingham, Ph.D., a globally recognized soil microbiologist, and Charlotte Kahn, a well-known leader in the fields of social innovation and philanthropy. Ingham and Kahn join more than 30 other distinguished members of the Soil4Climate Advisory Board, comprised of individuals with expertise in disciplines including climate science, agricultural research, farming, policymaking, journalism, and environmental activism.

February 22, 2018 – MEDFORD, Massachusetts – Vice President Al Gore recently spoke with two Soil4Climate representatives at a reception at Tufts University. At the February 7th event, William “Bill” Moomaw, Tufts University professor and Soil4Climate Advisory Board member, and Josephine “Josie” Watson, Tufts senior and Soil4Climate Student Representative, presented to Gore a packet containing information on Soil4Climate as well as articles and research pertaining to soil as a climate solution.

Soil4Climate is fundraising to ensure food and water security on Maasai lands in Kenya. The project will help bring a borehole and regenerative, holistic planned grazing to the Enkutoto Nalala village in the Kajiado district of Kenya. This is also a climate solution, as improved grazing builds soil carbon.Your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your support. I’ve included information about Soil4Climate below.

On World Soil Day, Soil4Climate and Maasai Center for Regenerative Pastoralism Launch Land Restoration Project

Planned Grazing to Provide Food, Water, Climate Benefits

December 5, 2017 – NAROK, Kenya – Soil4Climate and the Maasai Center for Regenerative Pastoralism today announced the launch of a joint initiative, the Maasai Lands Restoration Project. This venture seeks to improve degraded soils on Maasai-owned land in Kajiado County, Kenya, to provide permanent solutions to the challenges of drought, desertification, and food and water security, chronically plaguing the region. In addition, improving the land will sequester carbon, helping to reverse climate change.

Regenerative grazing of livestock will be utilized to improve the land and to increase the abundance of grass, allowing the herd size to grow. As the project proceeds, permaculture practices and other eco-agricultural innovations will be integrated into the land management.

“We are excited about this project because restoring our soil means restoring the lives of our people. Improving the land is the most important thing we can do for our Maasai community and future generations,” stated Dalmas Tiampati, Founder and Executive Director of the Maasai Center for Regenerative Pastoralism.

“It is an honor to participate in a hopeful venture that seeks to preserve a noble and proud culture facing tremendous stress from environmental devastation. Our work will show well-managed grazing can improve and strengthen a community, and provide abundant food and water while combatting global warming,” said Seth Itzkan, Co-Founder of Soil4Climate.

Other partners on this effort include the Mara Training Centre in Kenya, offering training in holistic management of land and livestock, and the Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology (LARMAT) at the University of Nairobi, providing ecological monitoring of soil carbon and range vegetation. Marking the formal start of this project, seven community leaders from the Enkutoto Nalala village in Kenya gathered today at the Mara Training Centre in Narok, Kenya, to begin training in holistic land and livestock management.

The Maasai Center for Regenerative Pastoralism, a Kenya-based nonprofit, works with Maasai pastoralists to implement regenerative land management practices. The Mara Training Center, in the northern Mara region of Kenya, is a Savory Institute Hub working to enhance the area’s plant and animal life, and increase its economic viability. The University of Nairobi Department of LARMAT offers degrees in range management and provides research activities in support of sustainable rangeland management and pastoralism. LARMAT is partnering with the Mara Training Centre to providing experiential learning to university graduates. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has designated December 5th as World Soil Day.

Fundraising for the first phase of this effort, including drilling of a borehole and the initial training, is being coordinated by a collaboration among NorthernDawn Consulting LLC, Sustainable Partnerships LLC, and graduate students in the Masters in Environmental Management program at Western State Colorado University.

Soil4Climate Inc., a U.S.-based nonprofit, nongovernmental organization, advocates for regenerative cropping and grazing practices to improve soil fertility, increase the bionutrient density of food, restore wildlife habitat, prevent flooding, return flow to dried-up rivers, and revitalize pastoral communities while sequestering atmospheric carbon. Join the 7,000+ scientists, farmers, policymakers, journalists, and concerned global citizens of Soil4Climate at facebook.com/groups/Soil4Climate.

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Media contact:    Karl Thidemann
Soil4Climate
karl.thidemann@gmail.com

August 2, 2017 – THETFORD, Vermont – Soil4Climate today announced the addition of four members to its Advisory Board: Tom Crowther, Ph.D., of ETH Zurich (the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), Dan Kittredge, founder of the Bionutrient Food Association, Fred Provenza, Ph.D., of Utah State University, and Mark Gottlieb, Esq., executive director of the Public Health Advocacy Institute at Northeastern University. The four new members bring to the Soil4Climate Advisory Board knowledge and experience from fields relevant to soil carbon sequestration, including soil science, grazing management, nutrition, and public health. A full listing of Advisory Board members is at soil4climate.org/advisoryboard.
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“I am pleased to join this distinguished roster of climate scientists, farmers, journalists, impact investors, activists, and others who share a passion for improving soil health and reversing climate change. The increasingly clear, nutritional link between soil health and human health is one of many reasons why returning carbon to soil is crucial,” said Kittredge.

​Seth Itzkan, co-founder and co-director of Soil4Climate, commented, “We are honored and delighted to welcome these extraordinary individuals to the Soil4Climate Advisory Board. Their expertise and insight will be invaluable as Soil4Climate grows its presence domestically and internationally.”

Soil4Climate advocates for regenerative cropping and grazing practices to heal land, improve soil fertility, restore wildlife habitat, prevent flooding, return flow to dried-up rivers, and revitalize rural communities while sequestering atmospheric carbon. Join the 5,700+ scientists, farmers, policymakers, journalists, and concerned global citizens of Soil4Climate at facebook.com/groups/Soil4Climate.

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Press Contact
Karl Thidemann
Soil4Climate
karl.thidemann@gmail.com
(617) 620-6151