Agriculture could remove more carbon dioxide than is currently emitted by fossil fuels. Photosynthesis takes carbon dioxide from the air and cycles it into the soil, where microbial life could store it for centuries if holistic (regenerative) methods are used. Eating organic produce is a start. (It needn’t be certified organic; ask your farmer how it was grown). If you eat animal products, choose those from animals raised start to finish on grasslands. Pasture raised animal products are higher in Omega-3 and beneficial fats. These healthy products do cost more, but result in better health.

Graphic via www.landlifeeducation.com.au

Industrialized, conventional animal products have harmful fats, and can be tainted by bacteria, pesticide, steroid and antibiotic residues, heightening the risk of heart attack or cancer. They contribute heavily to greenhouse gas emissions, due, in part, to the destruction of rainforests, and the use of fossil fuels in fertilizers, pesticides and machinery used in growing grain for feed. Moreover, industrialized agricultural practices tend to lead to soil erosion, pollution, and displace small family farms worldwide.

Holistic (regenerative) methods make soil inviting, so soil microbes thrive. If you want a lawn, grow many types of plants, mow sparingly, and let clippings return nutrients to the soil. If you garden or farm, emphasize biodiversity, cover cropping, composting, and water harvesting. Don’t leave soil bare. That kills microbes, which release carbon to the air as they die. Till as little as possible, to leave soil structure intact. Avoid fast acting commercial fertilizers; they disturb the carbon cycle underground, resulting in less nitrogen. Ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats, etc.) exhale methane; microbes that thrive in healthy soil digest the methane as the ruminants graze.

Resources:  
Farms, stores, restaurants, farmers markets that sell food from animals that are grass fed/grass finished or pasture raised:  eatwild.com/products/newyork.html
More:
nofany.org
nofamass.org/tags/carbon-sequestration
glynwood.org
organicconsumers.org  
FairWorldProject.org  
soil4climate.org  
ifoam.bio
savoryinstitute.com  
grassfedexchange.com
maplehillcreamery.com/grass-fed/
rodaleinstitute.org/regenerative-organic-agriculture-and-climate-change 

Glossary:
Greenhouse gases (GHG): carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other gases that contribute to climate change.
Holistic, regenerative agriculture, carbon farming: mimic nature by maximizing soil health and storing carbon in soils.
Grass fed and grass finished: In the US, most animals such as cows who provide meat spend most of their lives grazing on pasture or, in inclement weather, eat grass products, such as hay (grass fed). Grass fed and grass finished animals live this way their entire lives. In industrialized agriculture, they are shipped to feed lots where they are fattened on grain for the fat-marbled meat that some consumers demand. This is not healthy for the animals or for us. 
Organic: relying on natural systems that create healthy soils and ecosystems. Farm animals have regular access to the outdoors, are fed 100% organic feed, and are free of antibiotics and synthetic hormones. 
Certified Organic: A USDA-accredited certification agency verified a grower meets National Organic Program Standards.

For more information, email [email protected] or text/leave voice mail at 518-951-5953. Sheree is a member of the New York Yearly Meeting (Quaker) Earthcare Working Group. www.NYYM.org and this information is re-shared here with her permission.