NDFU to host summit on carbon in agriculture

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

Carbon in agriculture continues to be a hot topic, and North Dakota Farmers Union is inviting producers to learn about opportunities that may await them.

The Evolution Ag Summit is set for Feb. 21 at the NDFU’s state office in Jamestown, and the topic this year is The Carbon Conundrum.

The summit features speakers on the basics of carbon, sustainability commitments, supply chains, renewable fuels, stewardship and carbon sequestration.

Dave Ripplinger, a professor and bioenergy economist for North Dakota State University, will open the day with a discussion called,

“Carbon 101.”

“It’s really an overview of carbon in agriculture and how it’s impacting producers,” Ripplinger said. “We’ll dig into some practical issues. These contracts for farmers are out there and available to them. It’s a real opportunity.”

Ripplinger said he hopes to quell some of the confusion surrounding carbon contracts.

“Informed decisions by North Dakota farmers can lead to a significant amount of revenue if they develop relationships with these companies,” he said. “There are farmers

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CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE signing contracts and getting large sums of money. These are businesses actively looking for farmers who have been practicing no-till and using cover crops, and those who have interest in doing it for 2023.”

After lunch, Ripplinger is leading a panel on renewable fuels that features a discussion with representatives from Midwest AgEnergy, ADM and Marathon Petroleum.

“We’ll have experts and folks from industry speaking,” said Ripplinger, who is on the planning committee for the event. “(This event) is for those who own and operate farms in North Dakota. They’re the ones faced with this decision, so these are the folks we need to reach.”

The event is being keynoted by Zach Johnson, otherwise known as, “The Millennial

Jake

Kevin

Colin

Nikki

1:35

2:05

2:35

Adam

Kent Engelbrecht, ADM

Paul

Public & Private Conservation Initiatives

Brad Justice, Indigo Ag

Martin Barbre, RIPE

Dana Ashford-Kornburger, NRCS

The Carbon Conundrum: Farmer & Rancher Perspectives

Zach Johnson, The Millennial Farmer Christie Jaeger, Esmond Farmer & Rancher Paul Overby, Wolford Farmer

Jacki Christman, Hettinger Farmer & Rancher

Closing Remarks: Mark Watne, NDFU President

Farmer.” Johnson has grown his audience through social media, reaching consumers around the world and educating them on family farm agriculture. Johnson is also leading a farmer-rancher panel on carbon sequestration to close out the event.

Ripplinger said he hopes growers leave the event with a full understanding of the potential benefits — financial and otherwise — from carbon sequestration.

“This is a one-day opportunity for farmers and ranchers to catch up,” Ripplinger said. “I’ve been working in this space for over a decade. We’re getting into the true start of this. Now is the time for folks to come and make those connections and get educated on this. The best way to do that is to have them with us in person.”

To register for the event or for more information, visit NDFU.org.