This report explores the potential for U.S. agriculture to achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) neutrality or become GHG-negative by integrating current and emerging practices across crop and livestock systems. The analysis identifies five major opportunity areas: soil carbon management, nitrogen fertilizer management, animal production and manure handling, crop production efficiency, and on-farm energy use. The report emphasizes the need for on-farm demonstrations, technical support, and policy incentives to overcome economic and technological barriers.

This paper synthesizes current research on the impacts of soil health practices—such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, and residue management—on hydrologic processes within agricultural and urban systems. These practices influence water infiltration, storage, and movement through the soil-water-atmosphere continuum, reducing runoff, erosion, and surface water contamination while potentially moderating flood risks.

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are of increasing concern because of their potential role in promoting rapid and undesirable change in climate. Agriculture ironically serves as both a source and a sink for this increase in GHGs. This report analyzes agriculture's complex, pivotal role in this vitally important issue by considering policy options, implementation, and future monitoring and verification of GHG mitigation. The report outlines seven potential methods for agricultural mitigation of GHG concentrations.