Nebraska Soil Carbon project offers financial incentives to producers

By Scout Nelson

The Nebraska Soil Carbon Project is offering financial incentives to producers who implement soil health practices on their land. The goal of the program is to improve soil health and reduce the carbon footprint of agriculture in the state. Producers can receive payments for adopting cover crops, no-till, and diverse crop rotations.

Soil health practices have many benefits for farmers and the environment. They can improve soil structure, increase water infiltration, and reduce erosion. They can also help to improve nutrient availability, reduce crop stress, and increase yields.

The Nebraska Soil Carbon Project is a collaboration between the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Upper Big Blue and Central Platte Natural Resources Districts (NRDs), The Nature Conservancy, the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium, Cargill, Target, and McDonald's. The Nature Conservancy manages the program, which is investing $8 million over five years to help farmers implement soil health practices.

To be eligible for the program, producers must have land in the Central Platte or Upper Big Blue NRDs. They must also be willing to adopt one or more of the following soil health practices:

• Cover crops: A cover crop is a plant that is grown to protect and improve the soil. Cover crops can be grown over the winter to help prevent erosion and improve soil health.
• No-till: No-till is a farming practice that involves planting crops without disturbing the soil. This helps to keep the soil in place and improve soil health.
• Diverse crop rotations: A diverse crop rotation is a practice of growing different crops in the same field over time. This helps to improve soil health and reduce the risk of pests and diseases.

Producers who are interested in participating in the program can apply through their local NRCS office. The deadline for the next round of funding is November 17, 2023.

The Nebraska Soil Carbon Project is a great opportunity for farmers to improve their soil health and reduce their carbon footprint. The program offers financial incentives and technical assistance to help farmers implement soil health practices.

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