Carbon Farming: Science and Practice

In a world grappling with the pressing challenges of climate change and sustainable food production, ＂Carbon Farming＂ emerges as a transformative concept with far-reaching implications. Carbon farming, a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture dedicated to actively sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and securely storing it within vegetation and soil, also creates another income stream for farmers and ranchers. It’s more than just an ecological solution; it’s a holistic approach that integrates social, environmental, and economic development. It is also the foundation stone for achieving Sustainable Development Goals of the Agenda 2030 of the United Nations.

The book confronts a series of captivating questions that arise when focusing on increasing soil carbon through Sustainable Agricultural Practices. Through a series of meticulously crafted chapters, the book unravels the potential impact of carbon farming on soil health, the carbon cycle, and the broader global environment.

The book navigates through a diverse array of carbon farming techniques, from conservation and regenerative agriculture to agroecology, agroforestry and composting. It provides practical insights, supported by compelling case studies, showcasing successful implementations of these practices in real-world agricultural contexts. Readers are equipped with a toolkit of effective carbon farming strategies, offering a valuable resource for those seeking to adopt sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices.

This book is not just a resource; it’s a call to action. It’s an invitation to be part of a movement that has the power to transform agriculture and safeguard our planet for generations to come. Join us in the journey of understanding, implementing, and advocating for carbon farming--a practice that holds the key to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Nancy Loria, Ph.D., is a Researcher at the CFAES Rattan Lal Center for Carbon Management and Sequestration, The Ohio State University. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and a master’s degree in forestry from Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, India. Recognized for her exceptional academic achievements, Nancy was honored with gold medals for both her master’s and Ph.D. degrees.

With a profound background in environmental research, Nancy spent three years as a research fellow at ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Research Center Chandigarh, India. During this period, she focused extensively on Himalayan soils, emphasizing agriculture as a solution to climate and environmental challenges.

Nancy’s research interests encompass a wide spectrum, including soil health, water quality, soil carbon sequestration, sustainable agriculture, and climate change. In addition to her research endeavors, Nancy isdeeply committed to advancing sustainable agricultural practices and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Her enthusiasm, expertise, and forward-thinking approach make her a valued asset in the field of environmental science and sustainable agriculture.

Rattan Lal, Ph.D., is a Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science and Director of the CFAES Rattan Lal Center for Carbon Management and Sequestration at The Ohio State University. He also holds adjunct/honorary professorships at multiple institutions, including Punjab Agricultural University (Ludhiana, India), the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (New Delhi), Amity University (Noida, India), Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (Srinagar, India); the National University of Uzbekistan (Tashkent); and serves as a Visiting Professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, Chile. Dr. Lal has researched soil-centric and regenerative agricultural management for food and climate security, soil carbon sequestration, sustainable/eco-intensification, input use efficiency of agroecosystems, sustainable management of soils, and soil health. His career spans over 6 decades and 6 continents.

During his career Prof Rattan Lal has served as Research Assistant at OARDC, Wooster, Ohio; Sr. Research Fellow with the University of Sydney, Australia, Soil Physicist at IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria, and Professor of Soil Science at Ohio State University. He was President of the World Association of the Soil and Water Conservation, the International Soil Tillage Research Organization, the Soil Science Society of America, and the International Union of Soil Sciences, Vienna, Austria. He is Chair in Soil Science and Goodwill Ambassador for Sustainable Development Issues of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, San José, Costa Rica, and Global Ambassador of Regenagri, London, United Kingdom.

Professor Lal received GCHERA World Agriculture Prize (2018), Glinka World Soil Prize of FAO (2018), Japan Prize (2019), U.S. Awasthi IFFCO Prize of India (2019), World Food Prize (2020), Arrell Global Food Innovation Award of Canada (2020), Padma Shri Award of India (2021), Mahatma Gandhi Environmental Protection Award (2022), and Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity (2024). He funded the Rattan Lal Endowed Chair in Soil Science and the Scholar Exchange Program at Ohio State University. Rattan Lal has authored/coauthored over 1200 peer reviewed articles and co-authored/co-edited over 100 books.