When it comes to the effects of a climate change / clean energy bill on the U.S. agriculture sector, it seems that there is a new study every couple of weeks- and the yays and the nays both appear to have all the statistics to demonstrate why they are correct and the other side is wrong. To help address this confusion, we commissioned a team of Kansas State University (KSU) researchers to complete an analysis and comparison of six key economic studies that looked at the effects of the House clean energy bill on farmers and ranchers. Reviewing all the significant studies as of December 1, 2009, the KSU team sought to identify common findings as well as compare various assumptions and methodologies. This is the first time this type of study has been done; therefore the results give the most accurate picture to date, of how agriculture will fare from the House Climate Bill.  Dr. Bill Golden, Dept. of Agricultural Economics at KSU and the team’s leader summarizes their findings:

"Overall, the research suggests U.S. agriculture has more to gain than lose with the passage of H.R. 2454. The bill specifically exempts production agriculture from emissions caps, provides provisions to ease the transition to higher fertilizer prices, and, fosters the development of carbon offset markets which will likely enhance agricultural revenues.”

This conclusion is underscored by the EPA’s recent announcement of an endangerment finding confirming greenhouse gasses as pollutants dangerous to human health and welfare that should be regulated under the Clean Air Act. Couple these items with scientific projections of the ill-affects of climate change on agriculture and farmers have a real impetus to be a part of the solution to solving our climate crisis.  The study can be viewed here: Or on our website at http://www.farmland.org/reports. Listen to Dr. Bill Golden on KSU Radio or AFT's Dennis Nuxoll on Brownfield