Agriculture Resilience Act - Summer

Team Members: Abigail Edwards, Alyssa Ramirez, Charles Saad, Danna Creager, Emily Becker, Gwen Macchione, Louiza Molohides, Rebecca Purba

Agriculture contributes approximately 9% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and represents the largest source of methane emissions, making it a critical sector for climate mitigation. The Agriculture Resilience Act seeks to reduce emissions by 50% from 2010 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 through sweeping reforms in soil management, livestock production, renewable energy adoption, and agricultural research. The analysis emphasizes how unsustainable farming practices degrade soil health, increase emissions, and threaten long-term food security, particularly as climate change intensifies drought, extreme weather, and resource constraints. The bill addresses these challenges by promoting regenerative agricultural practices such as rotational grazing, agroforestry, and anaerobic digestion of livestock waste.

The research finds that these reforms could significantly reduce emissions while improving soil carbon sequestration, water retention, and agricultural productivity. Investment in research and infrastructure is identified as essential for accelerating adoption and supporting farmers through the transition. However, achieving net-zero emissions within the proposed timeline may be challenging due to technological, financial, and behavioral barriers. Despite these challenges, the proposed measures represent a major step toward transforming agriculture into a climate-resilient, sustainable system. By integrating mitigation and adaptation strategies, the legislation could strengthen food security while contributing substantially to national climate goals.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.