Agriculture Secretary Vilsack says farm-based carbon offsets will be critical to success of climate plan

In Washington, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack testified before the Senate Environmental Committee on the climate bill, and said that engaging farmers and ranchers through carbon-offset programs was critical to the bill’s success in reducing emissions. Vilsack said that tree-planting and no-till farming were examples of positive programs on carbon that are achieved through work with the agricultural community.

Vilsack added that, because rural households drive more than urban ones, they face more exposure from increased energy costs, as well as higher fertilizer and fuel costs for farming operations. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said that the average cost of the climate bill would be $183 per household in 2020. USDA is conducting a parallel analysis.