Speakers give details, benefits of new programs
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The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Nebraska Agricultural Strategy Lead Florencia Abram takes a group into Heath Bish’s cornfield to observe his farming practices and results.
Representatives of area natural resource districts and corporations met at the Raising Nebraska building in Grand Island in mid-August to kick off a long-awaited joint effort -- the Nebraska Soil Carbon Project.
The guest list included individuals from the Central Platte Natural Resource District, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Pheasants Forever, the Nebraska Corn Board, Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) and BeefUp Sustainabilty partners Cargill, Target and McDonalds.
After an introduction of members of the various representatives of the assembled organizations and corporations, agriculture and water manager for The Nature Conservancy, Jacob Fritton, gave an overview of the Nebraska Soil Carbon Project. The project is the culmination of years of work that already has 100 central Nebraska producers with the goal of converting 100,000 acres to soil carbon saving practices in five years.
“Soil health practices are good, they have proven resiliency and are productive; they also generate ecosystem benefits for society as a whole, but it is too hard on farms,” Fritton stated. “Personal or private companies, they’re looking for ways to come out and support farmers and to reach their sustainability goals.”
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