Carbon Sequestration in Organic Farming

Carbon plays a critical role in soil biology and plant life, forming an essential building block of cell structure, minerals and molecules, and the carbon dioxide that enables plant restoration. It's estimated that simply the top 12 inches of soil contain over 700 GigaTons of carbon globally - with capacity for at least 136 GT more. While much of the carbon that plays a role in agriculture is in the form of carbon dioxide, organic matter is also a major factor. Many organic advocates believe that organic practices, such as building soil organic matter, can not only build soil carbon levels, but also sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide.

For over 20 years, Mike Rassweiler and family have been stewarding the land of North Slope Farm and providing high-quality produce and farm products. For a number of years, Mike Rassweiler also hosted a renowned apprenticeship program to pass along his knowledge of farming to the next generation. During this farm tour, he will share his perspective on carbon sequestration in organic farming, and time-tested practices in carbon farming.

For more information on the role of carbon in farming and the potential of carbon sequestration in organic farming, read this paper by Jack Kittredge, policy director of NOFA-MA: http://www.nofa.org/pdfs/2015_White_Paper_web.pdf