What Do Farmers Need to Know About Climate Change? Anticipating More Extreme Weather Related to El Nino

January 8, 2018Climate Column

By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy Climate change is likely to impact or exacerbate extreme weather events related to El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). According to The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “ENSO is a periodic fluctuation in sea surface temperature (El Niño) and the air pressure of the overlying atmosphere … Read More

What Can Farmers Do About Climate Change? Soil Health and Drainage

December 11, 2017Climate Column

By Tom Driscoll, Director of NFU Foundation and Conservation Policy Extreme precipitation is a serious concern for farmers as the climate continues to change. In many areas, downpours will be concentrated earlier in the year. Standing water and moist soil will work against farmers trying to get into the fields in time for crop insurance … Read More

What Can Farmers Do About Climate Change? Adapted Seeds

November 27, 2017Climate Column

By Tom Driscoll, Director of Conservation Policy and NFU Foundation As we’ve noted on the  Climate Column, climate change will disturb the precipitation patterns and temperatures on which farmers rely to grow crops. Farmers will need to adapt to these changes by implementing new practices and readjusting old ones. One option is selecting seeds for staple crops – … Read More

What Do Farmers Need to Know About Climate Change? California Air Resources Board Cap-and-Trade Program

November 13, 2017Climate Column

By Tom Driscoll, Director of Conservation Policy and NFU Foundation Farming is one of the few professions with the ability to not only reduce ongoing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but to also remove existing GHGs from the atmosphere. National Farmers Union supports policies and programs that maximize agriculture’s GHG elimination potential by offering value to farmers … Read More

What Do Farmers Need to Know About Climate Change? Credit Stacking and Water Quality Trading

November 6, 2017Climate Column

By Tom Driscoll, Director of Conservation Policy and NFU Foundation Environmental markets, in addition to being science based, quantifiable, innovative, and permanent, will have to offer farmers adequate incentives to adopt new conservation practices. Cases in which a single practice achieves more than one quantifiable environmental benefit, verifiably reducing more than one pollutant, payments for credits … Read More

What Do Farmers Need to Know About Climate Change? COMET-Farm

October 30, 2017Climate Column

By Tom Driscoll, Director of Conservation Policy and NFU Foundation Farmers are a key participant in mitigating climate change. Agriculture is one of a few sectors that can sink existing atmospheric greenhouse gasses (GHGs) as well as reduce emissions moving forward. Environmental markets could compensate farmers for natural resource conservation benefits achieved on their land. A … Read More

What Do Farmers Need to Know About Climate Change? New York Climate Smart Communities Certification

October 23, 2017Climate Column

By Tom Driscoll, Director of Conservation Policy and NFU Foundation The Climate Column has covered practices that allow farmers to reduce emissions and sink carbon into their soil, like no-till, as well as methods that help farmers secure the food system by adapting to the changing climate, like intercropping. As the harmful consequences of climate change increase, … Read More