Farming for Our Future: The Science, Law, and Policy of Climate-Neutral Agriculture

by Peter Lehner, Nathan Rosenberg

Farming for Our Future examines the policies and legal reforms necessary to accelerate the adoption of practices that can make agriculture in the United States climate-neutral or better. These proven practices will also make our food system more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Agriculture’s contribution to climate change is substantial―much more so than official figures suggest―and we will not be able to achieve our overall mitigation goals unless agricultural emissions sharply decline. Fortunately, farms and ranches can be a major part of the climate solution, while protecting biodiversity, strengthening rural communities, and improving the lives of the workers who cultivate our crops and rear our animals. The importance of agricultural climate solutions can not be underestimated; it is a critical element both in ensuring our food security and limiting climate change. This book provides essential solutions to address the greatest crises of our time. Backpage “Every eater should read this to better understand why we must demand that policymakers reform a dated and ineffective agricultural system to one that meets the needs of all of society, today and in the future.” ―Ricardo J. Salvador, Director and Senior Scientist, Food & Environment Program, Union of Concerned Scientists “Thoughtful and provocative, this well-written work provides a much-needed exploration of agricultural policy, practice, and climate change. It not only reveals the problems in agriculture that have contributed to our current climate crisis, but it also proposes positive alternatives for farmers and policymakers to become part of the climate solution.” ―Professor Susan Schneider, William H. Enfield Professor of Law & Director of the LL.M. Program in Agricultural & Food Law, University of Arkansas School of Law “Lehner and Rosenberg lay out the details in a highly readable and succinct manner . . . . Their prescriptions form a well-drawn blueprint for the White House and USDA to follow and for Congress to adopt in the 2023 federal farm bill. Adoption of the book’s recommendations would put U.S. agriculture on a rapid path to decarbonization and resilience. Policymakers should pay heed!” ―Ferd Hoefner, Policy Consultant and Former Policy Director of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

Published December 23, 2021

Reviews

[Owlish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressive analysis and recommendations for specific policy solutions to address the numerous climate challenges posed by the current agricultural system. Silvopasturing, ending monocropping, not growing plants to feed cows or create ethanol...some of these are familiar solutions from Paul Hawken's writing, but the authors provide very specific guidance for policymakers.

"Agricultural production is one of the least regulated industries in the country, enjoying a near-comprehensive exemption from environmental regulations." p. 6

"While there is no comprehensive study on how many landowners create paper farms for tax purposes, federal tax data suggest the number is considerable. Almost 75% of the 1.8 million taxpayers filing IRS Schedule F forms in 2017 reported net losses from their agricultural business, allowing them to collectively deduct $30 billion from their taxes." p. 17

"More than one-half of those the USDA includes as "farmers" are retirees, hobbyists, or taxpayers with paper farms." p. 32

"Global food systems contribute about one quarter to one-third of total greenhouse gas emissions." p. 39

"A 2013 study estimated that 67% of the calories and 80% of the protein in crops produced in the United States are diverted to animal feed." p. 74

"A hundred calories of feed, for example, only produces three calories of edible beef. Eggs and dairy products have the highest conversion rate at 17%." p. 90

"Agriculture operates on a 'parallel regulatory framework' in which farms are provided safe harbors from regulations in a number of areas, including labor, antitrust, and the environment." p. 111

"Every dollar spent on publicly funded agriculture research yields roughly $20 in benefits." p. 118

"Agriculture is the only sector in which businesses receiving government payments for non-classified activities are shielded from public oversight." p. 128

"The pastoral 'family farm'-- which has always been more myth than reality-- is of little relevance to today's agricultural industry: more than 80% of agricultural products are produced by only 7% of farms and only 42% of farms earn a gross income of $10,000 or more. Indeed, the majority of low-sales "farms" are hobby, retirement, or paper farms that produce few to no agricultural goods." p. 163-164

"The climate benefits of reducing fertilizer use, if accompanied by a commensurate reduction in fertilizer production, are significantly greater than indicated by direct emissions alone." p. 221

"States and municipalities have also taken action to divert organic waste from landfills. Shifting waste to composting facilities converts the waste into useful materials and results in negative net emissions." p. 226

"Meat, aquaculture, eggs, and dairy use ~83% of the world's farmland and contribute 56 to 58% of food's different emissions, despite providing only 37% of our protein and 18% of our calories." p. 238


Also, two small typos-- on page 100, "red seawood supplementation" should be "red seaweed supplementation"; and on page 168 section D, the first sentence is missing "be" in "crops that do not need to be replanted each year"

[Dee McLadha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a MUST READ essential primer for humans (primarily Americans) who eat food and want a livable climate. The book manages to be both advanced and accessible, speaking truth via crisp direct prose that lays out the facts and offers clear, simple guidance, in non policy wonk jargon, which is a huge accomplishment.