american farmland trust: one billion for ag climate bill

At 11th Hour--Additional $1 Billion Secured to Recognize Agriculture's Efforts to Sequester Carbon

CONTACT:

Jennifer Morrill: 301-792-6238 (cell), jmorrill@farmland.org

Washington, D.C.—American Farmland Trust has learned of an eleventh-hour agreement to the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. An additional $1 billion was secured for agriculture producers who engage in conservation and stewardship practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions but do not quality under the offset section of the climate change bill; or who were pioneering producers who began to reduce emissions or sequester carbon with projects prior to 2001.

“This is additional recognition of agriculture to participate in reducing greenhouse gases and sequester carbon, and to be able to earn income for doing so,” says Jennifer Morrill, Director of Media Relations for American Farmland Trust. “The House floor vote on this bill is now just hours away. With this agreement, and the agreement reached earlier this week between Chairmen Waxman (D-CA) and Peterson (D-MN), agriculture should support House passage of this bill.”

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****Note to Editors: Rep. Kratovil’s Office can be reached at 202-225-5311

Rep. Dennis Cardoza’s Office can be reached at 202-225-6131

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American Farmland Trust is the nation’s leading conservation organization dedicated to saving America’s farm and ranch land, promoting environmentally sound farming practices and supporting a sustainable future for farms. Since its founding in 1980 by a group of farmers and citizens concerned about the rapid loss of farmland to development, AFT has helped save millions of acres of farmland from development and led the way for the adoption of conservation practices on millions more.

AFT’s national office is located in Washington, DC. Phone: 202-331-7300. For more information, visit www.farmland.org.