Key Takeaways
- Indigo Ag has granted Catona Climate exclusive access to 250,000 carbon credits from a U.S.-based regenerative agriculture soil carbon project.
- The agreement represents the largest reservation of credits by a single partner in Indigo Ag’s carbon program.
- The project, which spans over 7 million enrolled acres of U.S. row crops, focuses on regenerative practices like cover cropping, crop rotation, and reduced tillage.
- Catona Climate customers will access high-quality, nature-based carbon credits validated by the Climate Action Reserve and rated BBB by BeZero, placing them in the top 20% for quality.
- The initiative provides direct financial benefits to farmers while contributing to climate change mitigation and improved ecosystem health.
Collaboration to Scale Soil Carbon Solutions
Indigo Ag (Profile) has partnered with Catona Climate, granting exclusive access to 250,000 carbon credits from its regenerative agriculture soil carbon initiative. This collaboration highlights the increasing maturity of the carbon credit market and reinforces soil carbon as a valuable asset class.
Dean Banks, CEO of Indigo Ag, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership:
“This deal not only represents a strong vote of confidence in our thriving program but also in soil carbon as an asset class. It reflects the increasing maturity of the market and will generate further confidence in the long-term durability of soil carbon projects, which is great news for the farmers and agribusinesses benefiting from this promising new revenue stream.”
Supporting Regenerative Practices
The credits stem from projects involving U.S. farmers adopting regenerative agricultural methods, such as:
- Planting cover crops to protect soil and reduce emissions.
- Diversifying crop rotations to improve soil health.
- Reducing tillage to sequester carbon in the soil.
These practices not only sequester carbon but also yield multiple ecosystem benefits, including improved soil and water quality, enhanced crop productivity, and increased resilience to extreme weather events.
Endorsing High-Quality Carbon Credits
The project, recognized as the largest broad-acre regenerative agriculture soil organic carbon initiative in the U.S., has received a BBB rating from BeZero, placing it in the top 20% for quality. This validation underscores the credibility and market appeal of the credits.
Tate Mill, CEO of Catona Climate, emphasized the importance of quality: “When major corporate buyers come to us looking for long-term climate solutions, we pride ourselves on offering a portfolio of credits representative of the highest levels of quality and integrity in the market. Generated from projects that not only deliver real and measurable climate impact through carbon sequestration, but also have positive impacts on local environments and communities.”
Benefits for Farmers and the Environment
The project ensures 75% of revenue from carbon credit sales goes directly to participating farmers, providing financial incentives to adopt and maintain regenerative practices. Additional benefits include:
- Enhanced soil health and productivity.
- Improved water quality.
- Increased biodiversity and habitat preservation.
Mill highlighted the broader impact:
“Utilizing one of the world’s most effective carbon sinks, combined with delivering meaningful benefits to current and future generations for farmers, make this a project we’re very proud to support.”
