Reicosky was leader in carbon sequestration research
By Carol Stender
cstender@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 07/22/2010 9:17 AM
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WILLMAR, MInn. — Don Reicosky liked what he heard at the recent Minnesota Ag, Climate and Energy Forum in Willmar. He just wishes discussions on carbon sequestration policy would reach fruition faster.
The retired ARS soil scientist's research is the basis for carbon offset discussions. Reicosky proved through his ARS studies that soil carbon is preserved by no-till and lost through tillage.
"I thought this was an excellent opportunity to discuss carbon policy, but it is taking so long for anything to happen," he said. "I have been working on this for 20 years and I'm interested in seeing these ideas take place."
Education is needed to inform the public about the issues, he said.
Several bills are being proposed that could offer agriculture opportunities in alternative energy development.
Senators John Kerry and Joe Lieberman are sponsoring a cap and trade bill with offsets. Incentives would be expanded to low-carbon energy development such as wind and biomass. It would establish and offset market that would farmers to voluntarily participate in. It also allows farmers to stack carbon payments with other conservation and stewardship program payments.
Members of the Ag Carbon Market Working Group distributed information that highlighted the benefits such policies could bring to Minnesota producers. The state's ag sector could see increased revenue potential from a carbon economy.
University of Tennessee research found that all counties in Minnesota could experience increased net ag returns under a property constructed carbon economy with national net carbon receipts expected to total $1.15 billion annually for corn, soybean and biomass sources combined.
The devil in such policy discussions is in the details, said John Baumgartner of Olivia's Baumgartner Environics, Inc.