Applied organic systems, carbon farming and climate change.

This paper will review a range of proven methods to increase soil carbon in organic farming systems as well as showing the science behind these methods. Published studies show that organic farming systems are more resilient to the predicted weather extremes of climate change. The studies showed that many organic systems have higher yields than conventional farming systems in weather extremes such as floods and droughts due to better water use efficiency and soil structure. This is due, in part, to the better water holding of soils rich in organic matter, especially humus. Increasing soil carbon can reduce the greenhouse gases created by agriculture and assist in ameliorating the effects of climate change on farm production. Increasing soil carbon will ensure good production outcomes and farm profitability. Soil carbon, particularly the stable forms such as humus and glomalin increase farm profitability by increasing yields, soil fertility, soil moisture retention, aeration, nitrogen fixation, mineral availability, disease suppression, soil tilth and general structure.