LandSmart Carbon Farm Plans

What is Carbon Farm Planning?

LandSmart Carbon Farm Plans (CFPs) identify practices that would allow agricultural operations to increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon farming involves an array of strategies that promote long-term carbon sequestration by capturing carbon in the soil and plant material. Many carbon farming practices also improve a farm’s resiliency to climate change impacts. Taken together, they promote soil health and productivity, and improve water holding capacity, crop and forage production, and wildlife habitat.

What are the benefits of a LandSmart Carbon Farm Plan (CFP)?

Address concerns you have about specific areas of your property
Solidify your priorities for land management activities and determine a timeline that is feasible for you to implement your priorities
Implement land management practices that improve the long term productivity and profitability of your land while protecting natural resources
Prepare you for opportunities to participate in cost-share programs that can help you meet your goals

What does a CFP include?

A Carbon Farm Plan helps you look at your property through the lens of greenhouse gas and carbon sequestration. The Plan evaluates all elements of your farming and land management practices and challenges you to find more climate beneficial alternatives when feasible. Depending upon your site, LandSmart Plans may include some or all of the following:

Mapping and inventory of property features such as planted areas, grazed areas, streams, riparian areas, roads, etc.
Water Management
Erosion, Sediment & Stormwater Management
Agrichemical Management
Management of riparian areas
Assessment of current practices and, if needed, recommendations for other beneficial practices (e.g., invasive plant removal, native vegetation enhancement, removal of fish passage obstructions/barriers, outlet protection, etc.)
Assessment and recommendations for other issues or management practices that are of interest to you
Prioritized action plan for improving carbon and greenhouse gas sequestration on your farm, as well as quantitative estimates of how each planned practice benefits carbon and greenhouse gas sequestration.