Every farm operation varies by climate and soil types, management history, and current management practices; therefore, conservation and supporting practices implemented through the carbon farm planning process will also vary among farm operations. Enhancing soil carbon content to improve soil health, however, is a universal concept. Benefits of increasing soil organic carbon content go beyond soil health to include improved productivity and potential economic gains. While the following case studies have not taken the Carbon Farm Planning approach outlined in this curriculum, they have implemented conservation practices commonly included in Carbon Farm Plans, with positive environmental and economic outcomes.  

"CCI and FibershedTM have been in collaboration since our founding, working together to develop a Climate BeneficialTM program for farms and ranches looking to develop increased resilience to drought, new direct markets tethered to ecosystem benefits, and methods to increase productivity naturally. The Climate BeneficialTM program suppports a grower working with a technical service provider to develop a Carbon Farm Plan and committing to continue to implement their plan on an annual basis. With these commitments and actions in place, FibershedTM works with the growers to establish new local and domestic climate-focused markets for their raw materials. We’ve seen growth in the program, and even with the economic constraints of Covid-19, we have established a new Climate BeneficialTM Wool pool for the largest scale fine wool ranchers in our state [California] in 2020, and have seen the marketplace rally with interest to this level of organization that provides high quality raw materials with a clear and scientifically measured greenhouse gas ‘drawdown’ signature."

-Rebecca Burgess, FIBERSHED