Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) reintroduced the Growing Climate Solutions Act this week. The bill establishes a Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Certification Program to help private landowners generate carbon credits through various agriculture and forestry practices.

USDA will help connect landowners to private sector participants who can assist in implementing the protocols and monetizing the climate value of their sustainable practices.

Key changes between this bill and the bill introduced last Congress include directing an assessment of current agriculture carbon markets and concluding that the programs will enhance participation in carbon markets before the program is established. The bill will be funded by recission of reconciliation bill funds, the bill will not open or make any amendments to the Farm Bill, USDA will not disclose any farmer-specific or confidential information, and USDA will be required to report the outcome of the program every two years.