Consortium for Agricultural Soils Mitigation of Greenhouse Gases
(Modified from CASMGS's central website. Soil carbon sequestration will reduce the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere while improving America's farmland and the nation's agricultural economy. The Consortium for Agricultural Soils Mitigation of Greenhouse Gases (CASMGS-pronounced like chasms) is providing the information and technology necessary to develop, analyze and implement carbon sequestration strategies and greenhouse gas emission reductions. Concern has been mounting about the considerable buildup of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This atmospheric buildup has been greatly accelerated by industrialization and the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas). Crops and other plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and, as they are harvested, their residue and roots are deposited into the soil where portions can remain for long periods. Carbon accumulation in soils can be greatly improved by various forms of conservation management, such as no-till and replanting with grasses. This carbon sequestration occurs because there is less soil disturbance and more carbon is added to the soil. Corollary benefits of carbon sequestration are increased soil fertility, reductions in erosion and increases in soil quality.

To help reduce greenhouse gases, a new plan is emerging; sequester carbon in U.S. agricultural soils, which helps the soil and air and benefits the U.S. agricultural economy.  It has been estimated that 20% or more of targeted emission reductions could be met by agricultural soil carbon sequestration. Substantial additional credit could be had by reducing emissions of the other greenhouse gases.

Under a private emission trading strategy, U.S. farmers, practicing appropriate conservation practices, could sell greenhouse gas or carbon credits to carbon emitters. Several companies have begun investing in carbon sequestration projects in the United States and abroad, on a voluntary basis. Early estimates indicate that the potential for a carbon "credits" market for U.S. agriculture is $1-5 billion per year for the next 20-40 years.  Alternatively, government policies might be implemented to directly support farmers for implementing conservation management practices; currently, several bills are being considered by Congress to foster such practices. Either strategy would help mitigate the atmosphere's greenhouse gas buildup while the needed long-term technical solutions are found for producing clean energy. 

The goal of our consortium is to provide the tools and information needed to successfully implement soil carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas reduction programs so that we may lower the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere while providing income and incentives to farmers and improving the soil. Such benefits include an increased and stable agricultural production and an overall reduction of soil erosion and pollution by agricultural chemicals.

The Consortium brings together the nation's top researchers in the areas of soil carbon, greenhouse gas emissions, conservation practices, computer modeling and economic analysis including Montana State University, Colorado State University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Michigan State University, The Ohio State University, Purdue University, Texas A&M University System and University of Nebraska. More information is available on the consortium's central website.