21st Century Agriculture

About the Project

Agriculture may soon have an unprecedented opportunity to access a new source of income – carbon markets. As the US begins fighting climate change by reducing greenhouse gases, farmers can tap into a new, multi-billion dollar carbon market. According to leading agricultural economists, carbon markets could be one of the largest commodity markets for farmers in the coming decades. In fact, it’s possible that carbon sequestration could generate $12-$20/acre while other practices generate even more revenue. Plus, reducing greenhouse gas emissions could also spur more demand for biofuels.

Child nutrition bill awaits action as program expires Sept. 30
Article · Sept. 28, 2010

Offset Debate Clouds House Vote On Child Nutrition Bill
Article · CongressDaily · Sept. 23, 2010

University of Tennessee Study Defines New Market for Midwestern and Southeastern Farmers
Press release · Oct. 23, 2009

US farmers may reap $24.5 bln/yr from CO2 bill-study
Article · Reuters · May 31, 2008

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New Markets and Opportunities for Agriculture in Colorado, Florida, Kansas, and North Carolina: An Economic Analysis of a Federal Renewable Portfolio Standard
Oct. 23, 2009

The Bipartisan Policy Center’s National Commission on Energy Policy awarded the University of Tennessee’s Biobased Energy Analysis a grant to undertake an economic analysis of the economic costs and benefits from a Federal RPS policy to agricultural counties in Colorado, Florida, Kansas, and North Carolina. The focus of this study centers on the impact of RES policy on farm revenue, taking a close look at the true potential of new markets for biomass resources in these states and the revenue that these markets could generate at the farm level.

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The Role of Agriculture in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Recommendations for a National Cap-and-Trade Program
April 1, 2008

Two years ago we set out to examine the state of American agriculture and make recommendations to Congress to help secure a prosperous future for our nation’s farmers. This undertaking, which we chaired, is known as the 21st Century Agriculture Policy Project. On May 30, 2007, we released a report entitled “Competing and Succeeding in the 21st Century; New Markets for American Agriculture,” with detailed recommendations on a number of issues, including preserving the agricultural safety net, reducing the cost of the federal Farm Bill, promoting renewable energy development on agricultural lands, and creating a robust market for agricultural carbon credits.

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