Understanding and Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Agriculture and Forestry: Soils

In collaboration with Cornell University and Soil Health Initiative, please join us to learn more on how you can help reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) on working lands.

Introduction to agricultural Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission and mitigation potential – a New York case study applicable to the Northeast

Jenifer Wightman, Cornell University, Soil & Crop Sciences

Agriculture is both a source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a constructive landscape to reduce global emissions. Using New York State (NYS) as a case study, participants will learn about sources of emissions on farms, how the different sources of emissions add up, and targeted mechanisms to help reduce them.  Emphasis will be on net greenhouse gas accounting from a change in practice, which means adding together the changes in carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). The goal is to help land managers identify real and permanent GHG reduction strategies to ensure farmers in the future have a more stable climate.

Examining net greenhouse gas impacts of soil health practices – using the FAST-GHG tool and key research results.

Peter Woodbury, Cornell University, Soil & Crop Sciences

Soil health practices such as reduced tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilizer management affect greenhouse gas emissions in many ways. This seminar will use the FAST-GHG tool, which allows a user to consider the different ways these practices and their interactions affect greenhouse gas emissions. Participants will come away with a better understanding of how crop and soil nitrogen cycling, crop yield, and equipment use affect the greenhouse gas impacts of different soil health practices (such as reduced tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilizer management).