Not all farmers are ready to navigate the regulations and environmental challenges that threaten their livelihood. 

“They are becoming more of an issue all the time,” says Missouri farmer Luke Stevens. “I think the more you can be prepared for changes, the better you set your farm up for future generations.” 

Young farmers are finding innovative ways to navigate these challenges through carbon markets, while providing new income opportunities for their operations. 

Three years ago, Stevens Farms enrolled in the ForGround by Bayercarbon program.  

“We are 100% no till and 100% cover crops,” says Abby Stevens, who farms alongside her husband Luke and his parents. The multigenerational family farm consists of corn, soybean and wheat rotation.  

Incorporating a private carbon program, along with other government offerings like EQUIP and CSP, they are able to cash in on sustainable farming practices that capitalize on carbon stored in the soil.  

“In today's farm economy, maximizing your dollar any way you can is very important,” she adds. “You're already doing the practice, so you might as get paid for it.” 

Benefits for the soil 

Soil erosion is a problem in the rolling hills that surround their farm in Montgomery County. The couple started researching mitigation methods and found cover crops.  

Behind corn and soybean, they plant a mix of annual rye, cereal rye, oats, rape and radishes. Into soybean stubble they sow annual rye, cereal rye, radishes and rape and in some cases barley and triticale.  

Cover crop variety helps stave off erosion on Stevens Farms in Missouri. It also provides root mass to keep hillside soils from running off. (MINDY WARD) (On mobile devices, scroll down to read captions.)

The upside came through improved soil health. 

“We take soil tests over four years, going back to the same spot,” Abby explains. “We're seeing a rise in organic matter. We're seeing benefits in the soil health and it's helping us raise better crops.” 

Ultimately, carbon farming practices, such as cover cropping, can enhance soil health, increase organic carbon content, and mitigate climate change impacts. 

Ease of carbon enrollment 

As early adopters of carbon farming, Abby says the sign-up process now is simpler. 

“We log into their website through our Climate Field View and our John Deere operation center is linked to Climate,” she explains. “Our field boundaries and everything are in there. All you need to do for enrollment is link your field boundaries that you want to enroll and go through a little bit of the process.” 

The link asks a few questions like if you're doing the no till or cover crops and the new add on for the nitrogen reduction.  

“All you do is you answer those few questions, and it will tell you what your historic payment will be and what your future payment will be,” she says. “It's become very simplified.” 

Secure your future 

Being comfortable with contracts is key, according to Luke, pointing to flexibility and attentiveness of the company. 

“It's a year-by-year basis,” he says of Foreground by Bayer. “Anytime you call, you get a call back. They have individuals assigned to you and they do farm visits. They’ve just been really helpful as a company.” 

Finding the right carbon market to fit a farm’s operation helps the Stevens family overcome the obstacles that come with increased regulations and environmental factors. The couple says it is one new farm management practice that will keep the farm productive for the future.”  

“That is what all farmers want,” Luke adds. “To improve the farm, leave it better than what we received it, so that we can bring back the next generation. We think carbon will helps do that.”