Carbon credit program acreage doubles

WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union has more than doubled the acres enrolled in the organization’s Carbon Credit Program.
Since the program’s launch in 2006, an estimated 2,400 producers from 26 states have enrolled more than 2.5 million no-till and seeded grassland acres in the voluntary program.
The enrollment period for no-till and seeded grasses ended on Sept. 15.
High demand. Additionally, more than 200 applications for nearly 1 million acres have been received for the new managed native rangeland carbon sequestration practice in western states. These applications will be processed in the coming months.
Recently, partial payments totaling more than $2.3 million were sent to producers and landowners who enrolled in the carbon program for 2005 and 2006. It is anticipated the remaining credits will be sold from that pool and additional payments made before the end of the year.
Approved. Farmers Union has been approved by the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) to enroll producer acreages of carbon into blocks of credits to be traded on the CCX, much like other agricultural commodities.
Large companies, states, cities and even consumers buy credits to offset their own carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Once the credits are sold, producers earn income based on the acres they have enrolled.
For more information about the Farmers Union Carbon Credit Program, visit www.nfu.org.