By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has appointed 36 members to the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program Advisory Council, also known as the Growing Climate Solutions Act Advisory Council.
This council will help farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners access voluntary environmental credit markets by advising on science-based practices to reduce emissions and sequester carbon. It also focuses on breaking barriers for socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers.
“The representatives appointed to this council provide a robust cross-section of knowledge and experience to help farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners understand how to use science-based practices to reduce emissions, sequester carbon on their land, and access new income streams through carbon markets,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The council will review protocols for generating environmental credits, qualifications for technical assistance providers, and activities farmers can use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Members include experts from government, agriculture, forestry, research, and environmental markets. For example -
- Brent Bible (Indiana) - Agriculture industry representative
- Claire Getty (Tennessee) - Forestry sector representative
- Ryan Schauland (California) - Voluntary environmental credit market expertise
At least 51% of the council are active farmers, ranchers, or private forest landowners. Initial terms for members range from one to three years.
The council will advise the Secretary of Agriculture on improving environmental credit markets’ efficiency and reducing barriers for producers. They will also submit an initial assessment of the program to Congress.
For more details, visit the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider website.
Photo Credit: usda
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