Carbon Offset Market Development & Background
It is globally recognized that many agronomic, economic and environmental benefits accrue to landowners using direct seed cropping systems. One benefit is the ability of direct seeding to increase and store organic soil carbon. Increasing soil stored carbon is, in itself, beneficial to agriculture production; it also provides benefits to society. For every ton of carbon stored in the soil 3.67 tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) are removed from the atmosphere.

In 2003 the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association (PNDSA) was the first group in North America to compile and register a listing of direct seed acres available for a Carbon Offset Trade. These acres were contracted to be direct seeded for 10 years and the stored carbon was marketed, in the form of a lease, to an energy company. Growers were paid for their CO2 as an offset to the energy company’s emissions.

PNDSA Carbon Offset Project 2007
PNDSA is proposing to aggregate 100,000 - 200,000 metric tonnes of CO2e.

What carbon offsets will be eligible in a contract with a direct seed grower?
n CO2 sequestered in soil by direct seeding.
n Emission Reductions achieved from fuel savings by direct seeding.
n Emission Reductions achieved by adopting Precision Agriculture technology.
n CO2 sequestered in soil in CRP Land - where 3-5 years are left on the contract and the grower has signed-up direct seed acres.

Who will be eligible?
The Carbon Offset offer will be available to growers who contract to farm specific acres in a one or two pass direct seed cropping system.

What is involved in developing a carbon offset project?
PNDSA has completed a cost/benefit analysis for a carbon offset project in the Pacific Northwest
n Potential for $1M/year to direct seeders in the Pacific Northwest
n PNDSA to develop offer sheet for prospective offset buyers.
n PNDSA to negotiate contract terms with buyer.
n PNDSA to offers contracts to direct seed growers.
n PNDSA to administer program which includes monitoring, measurement and verification.

Why contract with PNDSA?
PNDSA’s primary objective is to increase direct seed acres in the Pacific Northwest. It is grower directed, non profit and non commodity specific.

PNDSA works to encourage the development of direct seed technology and to support growers in the adoption of direct seed systems through information exchange, input to research and direction to government policies and programs that support direct seed farmers.