Since the 1960s, there has been discussion among academics about paying farmers for their contribution to a healthier environment. Today, programs make this concept a reality: payments reward farmers for improved and maintained ecosystem services, or the benefits that society receives from the environment, such as clean water, food, air quality, disease regulation, and more. During this webinar NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Colin Mitchell will guide you through the history of payments for ecosystem service programs and different types of payments farmers and ranchers can receive for improving or maintaining ecosystem services including:
• Direct Payments
• Certification Programs
• Tax Incentives
• Ecosystem Service Markets
Colin will also be providing a set of factors farmers and ranchers should consider before participating in any type of payment for ecosystem service program. The webinar will also feature a 15 minute Q & A.
This webinar is part one of a three part series focused on payments for ecosystem services and is part of a project conducted in collaboration with Dr. Barbara Bellows of Tarleton State University and the Texas Institute of Applied Environmental Research. The project is funded by Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) through research and education grant LS17-277, Indicators and Soil Conservation Practices for Soil Health and Carbon Sequestration. A special thanks to Dr. Bellows and SSARE.