Ecosystem services markets are rapidly evolving. These would include carbon sequestration, phosphorus reduction, water quality and conservation, and others. Ecosystem services markets typically function with a financial exchange for outcomes (credits).
We support:
- Ecosystem services markets to remain voluntary.
- Sound science and public research related to ecosystem services credits addressing Michigan’s diverse agricultural industries.
- Standardization, transparency, and clarity related to ecosystem services enrollment contracts, pricing, and credit(s).
- Using updated models to estimate emissions for program standards.
- Compensation and recognition for agricultural practices that keep carbon in the soil or in plant material.
- Farmers receiving credit or compensation for maintaining previous or existing practices.
- The length of time that farmers are compensated to be consistent with the length of practice implementation.
- Producers being able to utilize USDA cost-share programs alongside carbon and ecosystem services programs to better support the return on investment of conservation practice adoption.
- Michigan Farm Bureau staff, Michigan State University staff, and others in their mission to support farmers as they navigate carbon sequestration/ecosystem services credits contracting.