[vc_row inner_container=”no” padding_bottom=”0″][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”677″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” full_width=”yes”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Farmers & Ranchers” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
In 2022 ESMC is launching a national ecosystem services market that pays farmers and ranchers for quantified, verified, certified, and outcomes-based soil carbon, net greenhouse gases, water quality and water conservation credits generated from regenerative agricultural practices. The program is currently operating in a soft launch phase through projects across the country in which we are generating and selling credits to meet existing market demand. Our program is operating in all major cropping and livestock systems.<\/p>\n
At launch our program will allow farmers and ranchers anywhere in the country to enroll to undertake a journey to improved resilience, climate change mitigation, and improved environmental outcomes in a program that pays and recognizes them for their services.<\/p>\n
ESMC\u2019s market design is\u00a0both\u00a0innovative and unique.\u00a0We generate multiple \u201cstacked\u201d credits in our program, going beyond the benefits of improving soil\u00a0carbon and\u00a0reducing greenhouse gases. The same land stewardship practices that\u00a0impact\u00a0soil\u00a0carbon and\u00a0greenhouse gas emissions often have additional benefits, including\u00a0improved\u00a0water quality\u00a0and water conservation, as well as biodiversity benefits such as habitat for pollinators, insects,\u00a0and birds. Our market program rewards farmers and ranchers for all these benefits, not just carbon\u00a0credits.<\/p>\n
ESMC\u2019s science-based standards-based protocols are being tested and refined in projects with our members today and are undergoing certification by independent standard-setting organizations.<\/p>\n
ESMC\u2019s 34 Producer Circle Members <\/a>serve as an in-house focus group and advisory committee on program delivery, including development of outreach materials and program operations. The Producer Circle is vitally important to provide farmer and rancher input while pilot testing ESMC\u2019s innovative program.<\/p>\n We are committed to making racial justice, equality, equity, inclusion, a celebration of Pride, and diversity a central part of our focus, our work, our communications, and our conversations. Read more about our inclusion and racial justice work<\/a>.<\/p>\n In the period until full market launch in 2022, we are testing our entire program with Member organizations, operating currently in key production regions and systems over half of the continental US through pilot projects. The\u00a0only way for producers to get involved prior to market launch is in one of the pilot projects, which are led by ESMC member partners.\u00a0These projects allow members and producers a unique opportunity to test new innovations, contribute to critical research projects,\u00a0and\u00a0provide\u00a0input\u00a0into market development\u00a0to guide ESMC\u2019s program development\u00a0\u2013 all while generating saleable\u00a0ecosystem service\u00a0credits that are being bought and sold in our market program. In essence, these participants are kicking the tires of our program and helping improve it prior to full-scale public launch.<\/p>\n Currently, ESMC is only launching projects within specific regions<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>and production systems for which our program buildout has been completed. ESMC\u2019s map continues to expand as ESMC adds\u00a0more regions and production systems.<\/p>\nWhat You Can Do<\/h2>\n