3 questions to ask before lending farm, ag equipment to neighbors
It’s crucial to do proper planning – weighing any safety, liability and insurance considerations.
Read MoreA growing list of food companies and agribusinesses are offering payments to farmers for climate-smart farming practices if these practices can be adequately documented. Providing the right data to those companies is fundamental to opening and maintaining this new carbon-farming revenue stream for farmers.
The following information is provided by Nationwide, the No. 1 farm and ranch insurer in the U.S.*
A growing list of food companies and agribusinesses are offering payments to farmers for climate-smart farming practices if these practices can be adequately documented. Providing the right data to those companies is fundamental to opening and maintaining this new carbon-farming revenue stream for farmers.
Carbon farming involves implementing practices that are known to improve the rate at which CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and converted to plant material and/or soil organic matter.
“Carbon farming can potentially benefit farmers in a couple of ways. First, it can provide an additional revenue stream for your farm,” said Nationwide Risk Management Consultant Derek Hommer. “Second, it can improve crop production in the long run. Today’s conservation-driven farming practices, including no-till, living cover crops and perennial crop rotations, can help build more resilient, healthy soils.”
Data collection is nothing new for many progressive crop farmers. Today’s precision ag technology enables farmers to collect and leverage data to make informed crop input and management decisions. Now, the “ag carbon economy” is calling on farmers to collect additional data to help document their farming practices that are contributing to the overall effort to lower agriculture’s carbon footprint.
“The more data you have, the better you can tell your story,” Hommer said. “A lot of farmers have already implemented the practices being requested — like no-till and cover crops — in some cases for decades. They just aren’t keeping records. As you begin taking steps to become part of the ag carbon economy, it’s crucial to figure out what data you need to collect and how you’re going to collect it.”
The data required to verify your carbon-smart farming practices is a valuable commodity and represents your path to a totally new revenue stream on your farm. As such, Hommer recommends working with platforms and software that can verify the security of your data.
“The ultimate goal is to collect everything, analyze your data and put it to work for the betterment of your farm,” he said. “Be cautious with who you share your data with and how much you share. Make sure you’re working with the right partners to ensure you’re doing what you need to do to create new revenue for your farm.”
Visit AgInsightCenter.com for expert tips and information from Nationwide to help you navigate the changing agricultural landscape, run a successful business and maintain the safety of your farm operation.
*A.M. Best Market Share Report 2020. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2021 Nationwide
Photo: istockphoto.com
It’s crucial to do proper planning – weighing any safety, liability and insurance considerations.
Read MoreNationwide has solutions whether a beginning farmer, an established operation or if thinking about the future of the farm.
Read MoreThe OACI Assessment survey results establish a baseline of adoption for various farming practices in the Lower Maumee watershed.
Read MoreFire departments and residents of the community can nominate local fire departments between April 1, 2022, and Aug. 15, 2022.
Read MoreNational Ag Day is just one day out of the year. But for the No. 1 farm and ranch insurer in the U.S., it’s a daily commitment that has no end.
Read MoreIncorporating these benefits into your long-term plans can help firm up your (and your farm’s) financial footing today and down the road.
Read MoreZero lives lost: That’s the goal of Nationwide’s 2022 Grain Bin Safety Week program and Think Grain Bin Safety campaign.
Read MoreThanks to generous support from Nationwide, the Ag Foundation opened applications for education grants that will empower educators with more accurate information about agriculture. Apply by Feb. 28.
Read MoreAs we continue to stay ahead of the curve for farmers and ranchers, find out how we can work together to protect your next.
Read MoreRecently retired Ayersville High School ag teacher Don Hammersmith spent the last three and a half decades farming, both on his own small farm in Defiance County and in the classroom.
Read More