An innovative workshop on climate-smart agriculture this week emphasized soil health as a key element in carbon sequestration efforts. Several powerhouse organizations and companies hosted the one-of-a-kind event in St. Louis, called “C-Quest: Charting a Course for Climate Research in Agriculture,” and featured the Soil Health Partnership as a leader in helping farmers adopt progressive practices.
The ILSI Research Foundation, together with Monsanto Company, Soil Health Partnership, Washington University in St. Louis, Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, Howard G. Buffett Foundation and the United States Department of Agriculture, organized the Oct. 24 - 25 event. It focused on developing research targets for agricultural goals that:
- Support achievement of USDA’s “building blocks” for climate-smart agriculture;
- Integrate existing U.S. Midwest field research networks (like SHP) for climate adaptation; and
- Develop a research agenda to achieve a “carbon-neutral” agri-food system in the U.S. through a focus on soil carbon and soil health, including validation of soil carbon protocols.
The Soil Health Partnership is a farmer-led initiative of the National Corn Growers Association established in 2014. SHP Director Nick Goeser presented at the event, and NCGA CEO Chris Novak also spoke to attendees.
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