The state Senate on Friday passed a proposal to set goals for carbon sequestration on natural and working lands. With recent amendments, agriculture is no longer opposing the measure.
The state’s Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy, currently in development, will guide the process, and the goals must be vetted for cost-effectiveness and technological feasibility, according to the amendments. The plan must also suggest funding mechanisms for implementing the strategy.
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The Senate’s only farmer is now supporting the measure. Republican Sen. Brian Dahle of Lassen County explained the climate-smart practices he deploys. As he spoke, a tractor was tilling Australian field peas back into one of his fields to restore nutrients to the soil. Dahle also applies biochar from wood waste, which stores carbon.
“[The bill] is a good tool to educate on how California farmers are leading the way in doing a good job of protecting our soils,” said Dahle.
