Farmers are bolstering carbon credit markets amidst shifting political winds on sustainability.
While many companies are dialing back on green promises, one initiative is seeing significant growth. Truterra, which began in 2016 as Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN, is focused on guiding farmers in adopting sustainable practices on their land.
“Last year, we doubled the number of growers participating. We’re absolutely exceeding our expectations,” said truterra president Jamie Leifker in May 2024. At that time, carbon payments to farmers had reached $21 million.
How are companies and farmers working together on climate initiatives? Corporate net-zero pledges are the engine behind carbon credit markets. These commitments allow organizations, like Microsoft, to connect with farmers who are effectively locking carbon into their land, thereby generating credits.
The broader political climate is moving away from actively encouraging sustainability initiatives, prompting some companies to retreat from their environmental commitments or pursue climate efforts more discreetly.Despite this trend, some experts anticipate a resurgence as the 2030 climate goals draw nearer.
As these deadlines loom, companies will likely seek more avenues to reduce their emissions, possibly reviving interest in programs like Truterra’s. The focus remains on how agricultural land can play a crucial role in achieving these ambitious climate targets.
