January 22, 2019 Carbon Farming: Restoring Balance For A New Sustainable Age There’s more carbon dioxide in our atmosphere today than ever before. As a result, heat is being trapped underneath and our climate is changing. Our global temperature has risen, our ocean currents have changed course, and our glaciers are melting at an increasing rate. It’s more carbon dioxide than the earth can naturally absorb. “Carbon farming” is one of the ways responsible businesses can offset the impact of CO2 and boost agricultural yield organically at the same time. Here at Shepherd’s Dream, natural wool bedding is only the beginning of our greener business. Continue reading for three ways our company and other environmentally-conscious farmers around the country are taking steps towards a smaller carbon footprint: Prescriptive grazing: Allowing animals to graze on a prescribed location during a specific season to accomplish specific vegetation goals. No till row crop farming: This method allows for the improvement of the soil’s natural fertility without disturbing the soil each season for tillage. It increases the amount of water that gets absorbed into the soil and, in turn, increases its retention of organic matter. This makes the soil more resilient and less prone to erosion. Compost: By now, most people know what compost is and many people have a compost bin in their own home. Creating compost and applying it agriculturally is essential for a sustainable farm to reduce its carbon footprint while reusing what is essentially the best organic matter available. Any farmer will tell you that good compost is worth its weight in gold. (We’ll have more on this fascinating topic very soon.) These are just a few of the many applications that fall under the carbon farming umbrella. In the near future, we’ll dive deeper into this practice with a more comprehensive look at the methods described above. We’ll also take a look at other essential carbon farming techniques such as the use of shelter belts (wind screens), pollinator strips, riparian restoration, and the collecting of native seeds. Check back soon and learn more about living in a new sustainable age. It’s happening right in your backyard! In the meantime, be sure to check out our company philosophy and mission.