Agriculture is a critical component of Indiana’s and our country’s economy, not to mention our daily life. But as most farmers and ranchers will tell you, it’s a tough industry.
A months-long survey last fall by Purdue University found farmers’ optimism have fallen to the lowest levels since the height of the pandemic. Driving those concerns were rising inputs costs, pushed up by inflation and expectations that exports will continue to fall.
That’s why it is encouraging to see the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which was sponsored and co-sponsored by Senator Mike Braun and Senator Todd Young, respectively, moving forward in Congress. This important legislation will help farmers, ranchers and foresters access carbon credit markets.
These markets allow growers to earn income for employing sustainable agricultural practices. This creates a mutually beneficial outcome. It provides additional revenue streams for our agricultural communities and helps remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Alexander Goodnight
Crawfordsville
