LEGISLATIVE WATCH
Growing Climate Solutions Act Passes U.S. Senate
T
he U.S. Senate passed the Growing Climate Solutions Act, legislation that will help farmers, ranchers and foresters understand and access carbon markets, helping the environment and boosting farm income at the same time. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) and Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), joined by U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and cosponsored by more than half the Senate, helps producers to generate and sell carbon credits by setting up a third-party certification process through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The bill also creates an online resource for farmers looking to connect with those experts and get more information and establishes an Advisory Council to provide input to USDA and ensure the program remains effective and works for farmers. “Farmers have always led the way on protecting our environment, and the Growing Climate Solutions Act helps them get paid for their sustainable practices through voluntary carbon credit markets,” said Senator Braun. “Hoosiers and Americans want real-world solutions, and Growing Climate Solutions is a bipartisan, common-sense, pro-jobs win that farmers, industry leaders and conservationists can all support.” “Addressing the climate crisis is one of the most urgent challenges we face, and our farmers and foresters are an important part of the solution,” said Senator Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry. “The bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act is a winwin for farmers, our economy and for our environment. Our bill is a perfect example of how we can work across the aisle and find common ground to address a critical issue affecting all of us and our future.” “We applaud the passage of the Growing Climate Solutions Act introduced by Senators Debbie Stabenow and Mike Braun,” said Sheila Burkhardt, MMPA senior director of member and government relations. “Dairy farmers utilize many conservation practices related to sequestering carbon in the soil. The proposed legislation would facilitate interaction with private entities looking for offsets to their carbon footprint. Dairy farmers look forward to being rewarded for their conservation efforts and continuing to play a role in environmental stewardship.” “NMPF commends the United States Senate for passing the bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act by an overwhelming margin,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. “This important legislation will enable USDA to informally endorse technical service providers that help farmers implement stewardship practices that can generate carbon and other environmental credits. The Growing Climate Solutions Act will encourage more farmers to participate in environmental markets, a crucial part of dairy’s Net Zero Initiative that helps dairy farmers of all sizes across the country meet our industry’s 2050 environmental stewardship goals.
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“Hoosiers and Americans want real-world solutions, and Growing Climate Solutions is a bipartisan, common-sense, pro-jobs win that farmers, industry leaders and conservationists can all support.” 12
milk messenger
/ JUL-AUG 2021
Advisory Committee DISTRICT 1 Dan Minnis, Dansville...................517-719-5894 Scott Ferry, Litchfield....................517-214-3298 Art Riske, Hanover........................517-524-6015 Clark Emmons, Fayette, OH...........419-466-4471 Brian Preston, Quincy...................517-376-1350
DISTRICT 2 Mark Crandall, Battle Creek...........269-660-2229 Michael Oesch, Middlebury, IN......574-825-2454 Danny Ransler, Gobles...................269-998-3802 Josh Gamble, New Carlisle, IN.......574-360-7828 Richard Thomas, Middlebury, IN....574-202-5198
DISTRICT 3 Gary Nelsen, Grant........................231-834-7610 Bill Gruppen, Zeeland...................616-520-5143 Burke Larsen, Scottville................231-425-8988 Jonathon Acker, Sand Lake............616-648-7037 Arlyn Walt, Coopersville................616-837-8247
DISTRICT 4 Marvin Rubingh, Ellsworth...........425-533-8106 Ron Lucas, Posen..........................989-379-4694 Dave Folkersma, Rudyard..............906-630-1957 Paul Ponik, Posen..........................989-464-5924
DISTRICT 5 Robert Lee, Marion.......................231-743-6794 John Black, Howard City................231-846-7252 Jack Jeppesen, Stanton.................989-330-1905 Bruce Benthem, McBain................231-920-1615 Mark Bontekoe, Marion.................231-510-0764
DISTRICT 6 David Reed, Owosso......................989-274-8147 Mike Halfman, St. Johns................989-640-1962 Steve Thelen, Fowler.....................989-640-1075 Ken Wieber, Fowler.......................989-292-1187 Renee McCauley, Lowell................616-283-6411
DISTRICT 7 John Bennett, Prescott..................989-345-4264 Rodney Fowler, Chesaning............989-302-2299 Tracy House, Mt. Pleasant.............989-621-6610 Philip Gross, Weidman..................989-289-0670 Jason Elenbaum, Mayville.............989-274-1974
DISTRICT 8 Darwin Sneller, Sebewaing...........989-977-3718 Bill Blumerich, Berlin....................810-706-2955 Mike Noll, Croswell.......................810-404-4071 Jeremy Sharrard, Peck...................810-404-5076 Bryan Schulte, Ruth......................989-551-8200
