Chapter 1: The Impact of Land Use on Climate Change

The way we manage our agricultural land is significantly affecting our ability to mitigate global warming. The recent IPCC report highlights that practices in agriculture, forestry, and land use contribute to 22% of annual greenhouse gas emissions. However, this trend can be reversed.

Farms are essential for food production, but conventional farming often leads to soil degradation, which is crucial for carbon storage. According to the IPCC report, fields that undergo regular tilling can lose soil at a rate 100 times faster than it can regenerate. By adopting innovative farming methods, we could transform agricultural lands from sources of carbon emissions to valuable carbon sinks. “Agricultural land has the capacity to sequester more carbon and diminish greenhouse gas emissions compared to urban areas,” states Jessica Rudnick, an environmental policy expert at the University of California, Davis. This understanding has prompted policymakers to focus on soil health, with California taking the lead as the first state to implement a policy that connects climate initiatives to soil conservation.

The Healthy Soils Program, launched in 2017, provides financial incentives for farmers and ranchers to enhance soil quality, boost carbon storage, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Each winter, farmers are invited to apply for three-year grants based on new agricultural practices they commit to and the anticipated climate benefits. The response has been encouraging, with an increasing number of farmers participating each year — translating to more land contributing less to climate change. In 2018, the state funded 194 projects, increasing to 217 the following year. With existing projects, there's the potential to reduce over 115,000 megatons of CO2 equivalents over a decade.

Chapter 2: The Role of Soil in Climate Resilience

Soil acts as the earth's protective layer, and its treatment directly influences our ability to combat and adapt to climate change. Through the natural process of photosynthesis, plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in their structure and in the soil. When left undisturbed, the ground beneath forests and grasslands becomes a significant carbon reservoir. However, traditional farming techniques disturb this balance, releasing stored carbon back into the atmosphere. Exposed soil is also susceptible to erosion, leading to a loss of nutrient-rich topsoil, which further degrades soil health and its ability to retain water, ultimately challenging crop resilience during droughts.

While agencies like the Natural Resources Conservation Service have long promoted healthy soil practices, these methods have only recently gained recognition for their climate benefits. One such method, cover cropping, is highlighted by Allison Rowe, a climate smart community education specialist at UC Ventura County. “Cover cropping is one of my favorite topics,” she shares. “It represents one of the oldest and most reliable forms of carbon capture and storage, which is photosynthesis.”

Cover crops — typically grasses, grains, or legumes — are planted during off-seasons or between rows of perennial crops. They enhance soil carbon, support pollinator habitats, and reduce soil compaction among other benefits. Chris Sayer, a fifth-generation farmer in Ventura County, has been utilizing cover crops for 15 years at Petty Ranch. He rotates winter cover crops, primarily triticale and barley, around his lemon and avocado trees. This practice has increased the organic matter in his soil, enhancing its ability to store water during winter rains and lessening the need for irrigation on his 57-acre farm. While Sayer may not apply for grants due to already practicing cover cropping, he values the program, stating, “It’s a fantastic way to encourage others to adopt these practices. Over time, improvements in soil health can positively impact financial outcomes.”

Rowe also mentions additional popular practices in the region: mulching, composting, and establishing windbreaks. Mulch, a form of woody material, decomposes gradually, enriching the soil with carbon, conserving moisture, and suppressing weed growth. Compost enhances both soil carbon and overall health, while windbreaks — rows of trees on farmland — mitigate wind erosion and serve as habitats for wildlife.

Many farmers are keenly aware of the need for soil health initiatives. “Farmers and ranchers don’t need to read the IPCC report to feel the effects of climate change; they are experiencing it firsthand,” Rowe notes. This shift is affecting their livelihoods and financial viability. She has observed that avocado groves employing soil health practices are more resilient during heat waves, as they can retain more water. This observation reinforces a crucial point from the IPCC report: climate change poses a threat to food security, but caring for our soil can help mitigate this risk.

The success of California’s Healthy Soils Program hinges on participation, according to Rudnick. While the program is voluntary, the application process can be complex, requiring technical calculations to assess climate benefits. To assist with this, some local farm bureaus conduct workshops to help applicants navigate the calculations. Additionally, there are concerns about whether farmers will sustain these practices once grant funding concludes. After the three-year grant period, they cannot apply again for the same practice, as the program aims to serve as a catalyst for change. “Both widespread and sustained adoption is crucial for soil carbon to effectively impact greenhouse gas emissions,” Rudnick emphasizes. “If implemented correctly, these initiatives could reduce emissions, enhance climate resilience, and sustain agricultural productivity.”

California appears committed to expanding the program. During the 2018-2019 funding cycle, the state allocated $15 million, and for the upcoming round, $28 million has been earmarked.

Rowe is optimistic about increasing interest in soil health grants. “There’s a remarkable opportunity to tackle climate change while enhancing ecosystem services and farm profitability through soil health,” she expresses. “By managing our lands effectively, we can feed our communities and support our livelihoods while sequestering carbon and safeguarding our planet. I believe this is just the beginning, and I hope it continues.”