Promoting Climate-Friendly Agriculture for the Benefit of Farmers, Rural Communities, and the Environment

As farmers and ranchers struggle to adapt to the extreme weather caused by climate change, conventional agricultural practices aggravate the problem, producing nearly ten percent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. There are evidenced-based practices farmers can use to increase resilience to floods, heat waves, droughts, and pests, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing soil carbon storage. Yet public spending in agricultural research and extension has not only declined in recent years, but has also remained focused on conventional methods, hindering the development and dissemination of these climate-friendly practices. This article argues that Congress should dramatically increase public funding for the research, development, and dissemination of climate-friendly practices, bringing significant returns to farmers, rural communities, and the public