Valley City Times-Record

The Growing Climate Solutions Act is a win for North Dakota farmers

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U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer is leading the way in North Dakota on realistic environmen­tal solutions. The Senator played a critical role in negotiatio­ns that went into the Senate passing the Growing Climate Solutions Act.

North Dakota communitie­s should be thankful for his leadership on bipartisan solutions. This is the first major piece of bipartisan legislatio­n that breaks down barriers for farmers and ranchers to participat­e in voluntary carbon credit markets.

The GCSA is a market-driven approach and not mandated by the federal government. Foresters, land managers and ranchers who protect native habitats, wetlands and forests can qualify to participat­e in the marketplac­e—transactio­ns verified in the GCSA. The Act establishe­s a USDA Certificat­ion that farmers work with to generate and sell their carbon credits.

Due to the pandemic and newly erected trade barriers, America's farmers are facing near record-high fertilizer costs, supply chain issues and labor shortages. The last thing they need is government interferen­ce in the marketplac­e. The GSCA commits to including farmers and other environmen­tal stakeholde­rs on USDA's Advisory Council.

The GCSA supports farmers during difficult times, which has helped the bill gain bipartisan support. Carbon capture practices will also increase the environmen­t's resiliency to drought, and other extreme weather events, providing greater security and stability to our ag systems and food supply chains.

TAPP stands with Senator Cramer’s efforts. America's farmers are preserving our most precious resources.

Patrick Rosenstiel

Founder and chairman

Trade Alliance to

Promote Prosperity

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