Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 6/17/20

The committee will meet next Wednesday to debate a bipartisan climate measure that would create a new USDA certification program for farmers, ranchers and foresters to participate in carbon credit markets. Notably, it’s the panel’s first meeting since the coronavirus took over the congressional agenda in early March and forced lawmakers to adapt to social distancing guidelines.

As for the substance: The climate legislation, introduced earlier this month, was fueled by growing interest across the ag industry and policymakers in using carbon sequestration to help curb global warming, while offering financial rewards to producers who practice climate-friendly farming.

The bipartisan effort is backed by key farm industry groups and environmental advocates, from the American Farm Bureau Federation to the Environmental Defense Fund. Officials from both groups will testify at the hearing, scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m.