Carbon Farming

Our atmosphere has too much carbon, which traps heat, leading to global warming. We mindfully choose practices that aim to draw down carbon dioxide into the soil to restore balance to the earth’s climate, which builds ecological resilience to buffer the impact of drought, and to be part of the solution to climate change.

Carbon farming works through the photosynthesis process when plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air. The plants turn the carbon into sugars and other carbon compounds and secrete them through the roots. Some of these compounds serve as food for microorganisms. These microbes break down organic substances into the soil making it easier for the plants to absorb the nutrients. The secretions from these microbes and waste matter from creatures in the soil like earth worms bind the soil together or aggregate it. Aggregated soil has spaces that allow for the air and water to flow, and these spaces also create room for roots to grow. This forms a cycle where the more the ecosystem in the soil flourishes, the better the soil’s condition and the higher the amount of carbon in the soil.

Sonoma County is home to an estimated 160,250 acres of agricultural land, including 104,443 acres of grazing land. These lands represent a significant opportunity for carbon sequestration through regenerative land management practices. Even a conservative estimate of one metric ton of greenhouse gases sequestered per acre annually highlights the potential impact of carbon farming across the region. We are committed to advancing these practices to help sequester carbon, improve ecosystem health, and support Sonoma County’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality.

Since receiving these grants, we have organized volunteer workdays to prepare designated hedgerow planting areas by applying mulch and compost. Volunteers have also helped construct wire-mesh gopher baskets to protect young plants from burrowing pests that can damage their roots. The addition of mulch helps retain soil moisture while reducing erosion and soil compaction, creating more favorable conditions for plant establishment. We have also planted native plants to establish hedgerows that will provide valuable habitat and food sources for pollinators and other wildlife.

Through these collaborative efforts, we are restoring habitat, improving soil health, and building a more resilient farm ecosystem while engaging our community in meaningful environmental stewardship.

Our farm is committed to being part of the solution to climate change through regenerative land stewardship and carbon farming. We implement practices such as prescribed grazing, mulch and compost application, and tree and hedgerow planting to promote carbon sequestration, improve soil health, enhance biodiversity, and increase the soil’s capacity to retain water. We are also continuing to develop a Carbon Farm Plan to guide our long-term efforts toward greater ecological resilience and climate mitigation.

We are proud to partner with Fibershed, a nonprofit organization working to advance regional, regenerative fiber systems. As a producer of sustainable fiber, our farm is also recognized under Fibershed’s Climate Beneficial™ Transitional (CBT) program. We are continuing to advance our land stewardship practices as we work toward achieving Climate Beneficial™ Verified status.

Through these efforts, we aim to demonstrate how regenerative land practices, responsible fiber production, and community-based land stewardship can contribute to healthier soils, more resilient ecosystems, and a more climate-conscious future.