Climate change is a growing threat to Oregon agriculture. From extreme, unpredictable weather and drought, to declining water supplies, our rural communities, farms, and ranches are experiencing dramatic changes to the climate. While we need to stabilize the climate by reducing industrial and other large sources of greenhouse gas emissions, we also need to invest in climate-friendly agricultural practices. Oregon needs to offer a framework for Oregon’s farmers and ranchers to be a part of the solution by providing grants to engage in climate-friendly agricultural practices. 

House Bill 2020 would cap greenhouse gas emissions from most large industrial sources - those that emit more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (or equivalent) per year - and effectively put a price on carbon. This would raise money for a Climate Investment Fund to provide grants to support agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon in soils, invest in irrigation efficiency, and promote resilience in the face of climate change. Qualifying practices could include: planting cover crops and pasture, managed rotational grazing, no-till farming, planting hedgerows, and a variety of organic practices. 

Under HB 2020, emissions from agriculture are generally exempted from the cap on emissions, even for individual large sources that exceed 25,000 metric tons per year in CO2 equivalent like mega-dairies and other confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) with more than approximately 10,000 cows. Unfortunately, because they are exempt from the cap, these very large CAFOs may qualify for 'offset' funding under the bill, which most smaller farms are unlikely to qualify for. Rather than exempt very large CAFOs from the cap and allow them to receive 'offset' funding, they should be capped like other major sources of emissions.

For HB 2020 to best support Oregon's small and mid-sized family farmers the final bill must include the following:

1) a minimum of 20% of the Climate Investment Fund allocated for activities on natural and working lands;

2) applying the cap on emissions to very large CAFOs that exceed 25,000 metric tons CO2 equivalent emissions per year (for example, mega-dairies or large feedlots with at least 10,000 cows). 

3) the creation of a Healthy Soils Program and an Alternative Manure Management Program like those in California which have generated millions of dollars in grants for farmers to engage in climate friendly practices;

4) sustainable agriculture or small farm representation on the Climate Investment Fund advisory committee.

Thank you,