Measuring and building soil carbon: Challenges and solutions for farmers and researchers

In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, we’re talking about measuring and building soil carbon, and some challenges and solutions for farmers and researchers. Why is carbon in the soil being considered as a credit in the global carbon cycle? What practices change soil carbon? What makes soil carbon complicated to measure? What do you think is the ideal or is there an ideal carbon measurement scheme and what would it look like? What new research exists to address some of these challenges? Is Minnesota uniquely positioned in any way to contribute to solving these issues?

Transcript

Guests:

• Anna Cates, Extension soil health specialist (St. Paul)
• Jessica Gutknecht, faculty, U of M Department of Soil, Water, and Climate (St. Paul)
• Gregg Sanford, research scientist, U of Wisc Department of Plant and Agra Ecosystem Sciences (Madison)

Additional resources:

• Contact information for Anna Cates: catesa@umn.edu
• Contact information for Gregg Sanford: gsanford@wisc.edu
• SOCNET
• MN Farmers Union Guide to Carbon Markets
• Carbon markets: Paying farmers to reduce tillage, plant cover crops
• Minnesota Office for Soil Health
• SPRUCE

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Support for the Nutrient Management Podcast is provided by Minnesota's fertilizer tonnage fee through the Agricultural Fertilizer Research & Education Council (AFREC). Learn more at MNsoilfertility.com.