Producers participating in the Organic Valley Carbon Insetting Program have begun receiving payments, the cooperative announced Tuesday.
According to Organic Valley, the program pays producers who reduce emissions and sequester carbon “by planting trees, installing solar, making organic compost, upgrading manure management systems, providing animals enteric feed supplements (to reduce methane) and more.”
Organic Valley CEO Jeff Frank said the payments are “real funds for farmers taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S."
"As a cooperative business, we are committed to these organic farmers with long-term agreements and relationships, and the farmers are committed to us with verified carbon reductions and, of course, organic milk,” Frank added. “We're building this business to deliver for farmers who deserve to be rewarded for their efforts and customers who want real choices for climate-friendly dairy."
According to a release, OVCIP offers “end-to-end support” for interested producers and a market price per third-party verified ton of carbon reduction or removal.
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"We promote a food production system that produces good food for people but maintains an environment that does not deplete natural resources," said Organic Valley dairy farmer Chris Wilson from Wisconsin. "The goal is constantly trying to find ways to sequester carbon and make healthy soil. Healthy soil supports healthy cows, healthy cows make delicious and nutritious milk — all this goes hand in hand."
The program was funded through a $25 million grant from USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Program. According to the co-op, the PCSC funding “will allow the co-op to implement 1,200 new climate-smart practices on 500 member farms.”
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