May 5th, 2021
By Tim Fink
American Farmland Trust Shares Tackling Climate Crisis Comments
This statement can be attributed to Tim Fink, AFT policy director
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Biden Administration’s January 27, 2021 ‘Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad’ establishes climate change as a cornerstone of U.S. domestic and foreign policy efforts, calling on all cabinet-level leadership, including the Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, to seek input from stakeholders and provide recommendations for strategies to address the changing climate.
“American Farmland Trust applauds the Biden Administration and Secretary Vilsack for recognizing the role farmers and ranchers can play in solving the climate crisis. Our nation’s farmers and ranchers are not only on the front lines of climate change’s impacts, but they also represent critical allies in our efforts to mitigate climate change.
“On Thursday, April 29, AFT submitted a public comment to USDA, recommending actions the Department could take to increase agriculture’s role in fighting climate change.
“The comment made recommendations to USDA on how to bolster existing efforts to make farmers and ranchers part of the climate solution, and also included recommendations on new concepts such as the Carbon Bank. Overall, AFT’s comments emphasized that the most efficient way to achieve on-the-ground practices would be to shore up existing conservation programs – such as EQIP and CSP – and increase associated technical assistance. The comment also suggested increasing farmland protection through various means, ramping up research and quantification efforts, ensuring equitable access to programs, building additional partnerships, and prioritizing program funding for the most effective conservation practices.
“AFT appreciated the opportunity to submit our comments on the development of strategies for the agriculture sector and looks forward to serving as a resource to the Department. We are eager to continue working with USDA to help farmers and ranchers fight climate change.”
##
American Farmland Trust is the only national conservation organization dedicated to protecting farmland, promoting environmentally sound farming practices and keeping farmers on the land. Since 1980, AFT’s innovative work has helped to permanently protect more than 6.8 million acres of farmland and ranchland and led the way for the adoption of conservation practices on millions more. No Farms, No Food. Learn more at www.farmland.org.