American Farmland Trust’s California Greener Fields project promotes keeping land in farming and managing land sustainably as essential to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the state. This fact is especially important considering California’s goal of reducing statewide GHG emissions by 80 percent by 2050. Research conducted as part of the Greener Fields project indicates that cutting farmland loss in California by 75 percent by 2050, or by 700,000 acres, would reduce GHG emissions the equivalent of taking 1.9 million cars off the road each year.

Comprised in Greener Fields are materials for educating and engaging California residents in climate change mitigation via agriculture. The executive summary, which includes AFT research findings, reinforces the need for farmland protection and climate-smart agriculture while the outreach materials provide recommended actions for combating climate change with farmers, local officials, state legislators, and communities. Additionally, the table reflects a comprehensive guide of California policies and programs for GHG reductions in the agricultural sector.