Agriculture represents one of the most cost-effective ways to improve two of our most pressing environmental challenges: water quality and climate change. Our goal is to help farmers and ranchers play a major role in improving our environment while also expanding their sources of revenue. Our Agriculture & Environment Initiative is:

Protecting Water Quality

Addressing Climate Change

Finding Solutions

Implementing Conservation Practices

Shaping Strong Federal Policies

Learn About the Issues 

• In a new study, U.S. agriculture has more to gain than lose from "American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009"
• EPA Endangerment Finding: Greenhouse gases threaten public health and environment
• UT Study shows net economic benefits to agriculture from clean energy legislation
• Climate Change Myths vs. Facts[PDF]
• Timeline for Clean Energy Legislation
• Hot Topic: Renewable Energy
  Renewable fuels that are good for the environment
• Ecosystem Service Markets
  Selling environmental benefits
• Farmers Growing Greener
  Responsible farming practices are taking root
  
• A Low-Carbon Economy [PDF]
  Harnessing farms and forests to offset carbon
• The Land Use Connection
  Better planning for a healthier planet
• A Plan for the Future
  Presidential Climate Action Plan released
  
• A Warming World and Our Food Supply
  A look at agriculture production in 2080

Farmers and Ranchers Making a Difference

Millions of New York City residents have clean drinking water, thanks to help from healthy farms in the Catskill Mountains and farmers like Tom Hutson. Hutson was one of the first farmers to participate in programs to reduce organic pollution in the Catskill/Delaware reservoir systems. more