Module 3:
Developing a Carbon Farm Plan
Module 3 Outline:
Developing a Carbon Farm Plan
Decision and Support
Soil Sampling and Monitoring
Case Studies
Carbon Farm Planning Success Stories
Writing a Carbon Farm Plan
Carbon Farm Planning is a creative exercise to explore how land managers can increase carbon sequestration and decrease greenhouse gas emissions relative to current conditions on the land. This online Carbon Farm Planning Curriculum is designed to provide the necessary background and tools for conservation planners and technical assistance providers to assist producers in the development of their Carbon Farm Plan.
Module 3 of the Carbon Farm Planning Curriculum weaves together the basic understanding and planning tools from Module 1 and Module 2 to support Planning Stage III: Writing the Carbon Farm Plan.
Planning Stage 1
In Module 2, we got started with Carbon Farm Planning Stage 1 where we learned about the roles involved in developing a plan, scheduling and conducting site visits, and following up with the producer to begin writing the plan.
Planning Stage 2: Writing the Carbon Farm Plan
Writing the Carbon Farm Plan requires producer engagement, including producer information about their farm operation and a record of producer goals. Your plan should include an introduction to the Carbon Farm Planning process to provide readers, including the producer and potential funding sources, with a basic understanding of the process. Like an NRCS Conservation Plan, the Carbon Farm Plan should include background on the operation, such as environmental conditions, baseline soil analysis data if available, and identification of the producer's goals and objectives. The CFP will include estimates of the greenhouse gas reduction/carbon sequestration benefits of the recommended carbon farming practices, quantified using the COMET-Tools and/or other models. These data should be compiled into tables and graphs to include within, or as appendices to, the plan.
Chapters in a Carbon Farm Plan
As noted in Module 2, CCI has created a CFP Guidance document. The basic framework follows the NRCS Conservation Planning structure, but has been adapted to focus on carbon capture as the core concept around which the plan is developed. There can be several chapters or sections in a Carbon Farm Plan. Each chapter should contribute to advancing the producer’s understanding of carbon farming and increase their awareness of the role of carbon in their farm ecosystem.
Discussion board: If you have any questions throughout Module 3, please use the discussion board below to post.