Agriculture is responsible for around 11% of U.S. carbon emissions. And yet soil holds the potential for massive carbon sequestration. Conventional agriculture focuses more on crop productivity than soil health, relying on pesticides, fertilizer, and other practices that contribute to climate-changing emissions rather than reduce them. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack advocates for a federal initiative focused on supporting “climate smart” agriculture for commodity crops that comprise the bulk of what’s grown on American farms: corn, soybeans, wheat. Meanwhile, the restaurateur behind Zero Foodprint is working to create change from table to farm, by crowdsourcing funds from customers to support regenerative farming practices directly. 

Guests:

Tom Vilsack, Secretary, US Department of Agriculture

Jeremy Martin, Senior Scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists

Anthony Myint, Executive Director, Zero Foodprint

For show notes and related links, visit https://www.climateone.org/watch-and-listen/podcasts

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