Fibershed’s 2024 Carbon Farm Impact Report highlights significant progress in climate-smart agriculture through the Climate Beneficial™ Program. Since its inception in 2016, the program has supported over 180,000 acres, with producers implementing 724 carbon farming practices projected to sequester more than 170,000 metric tons of CO2e over the next 20 years.
2024 Highlights:
- 126 Practices Implemented: In 2024, producers adopted 126 carbon farming practices, contributing to enhanced soil health and carbon sequestration.
- Climate Beneficial™ Verified Outcomes Framework: Fibershed introduced a new holistic framework to measure environmental and social impacts, ensuring a holistic approach to regenerative agriculture.
- Funding and Expansion: Collaborations with state and federal programs aim to expand these practices across thousands of acres in the coming years, amplifying the program’s reach and effectiveness.
- Carbon Farming Education: Fibershed continues to provide essential education for land stewards, offering tools and training that empower producers to implement and scale Climate Beneficial™ practices effectively.
Common Carbon Farming Practices and Their Co-Benefits:
- Hedgerows: Establishing hedgerows creates habitats for beneficial insects and wildlife, acts as living fences, and aids in natural pest management.
- Riparian Restoration: Restoring riparian zones improves water quality, reduces soil erosion, and provides critical habitats for native species.
- Silvopasture: Integrating trees into pastures enhances soil water retention, offers shade for livestock, and boosts overall biodiversity.
- Compost Application: Applying compost to rangelands and croplands increases forage production, soil health, and water-holding capacity.
- Prescribed Grazing: Managed grazing practices improve plant health, soil structure, and reduce invasive species, contributing to ecosystem balance.
- Cover Cropping: Planting cover crops between annual crops reduces soil erosion, suppresses weeds, and provides off-season habitat for pollinators.
Adopting climate-smart conservation practices enables land stewards to adapt to and mitigate climate extremes, such as drought and the erosive impacts of heavy rains. These “carbon farming” practices enhance soil organic carbon levels, improve soil health, and deliver a wide range of ecological benefits.
Fibershed’s Carbon Farming Education Program plays a pivotal role by equipping producers with the knowledge and skills needed to implement these practices effectively, fostering long-lasting environmental and economic gains. Our commitment to supporting land stewards through education, funding, and the development of measurement frameworks underscores the vital role of agriculture in addressing climate change. The 2024 Carbon Farm Impact Report highlights the tangible outcomes of these efforts and the dedication of participating land stewards for continued progress in the years ahead.
Read the 2024 Carbon Farm Impact Report.