Organic and Climate Smart Agriculture: Contribution Towards Washington State Climate Response Goals

This report to the Washington State Legislature evaluates the current and potential contributions of organic and climate-smart agriculture toward Washington’s climate response goals. Produced through a partnership between Washington State University and the Washington State Conservation Commission, the report assesses greenhouse gas mitigation opportunities across Washington’s diverse agricultural systems.

The analysis examines practices that protect and store carbon, reduce agricultural emissions from livestock and nutrient management, and contribute to bioenergy production. It also evaluates the mitigation potential of farmland and rangeland preservation, soil carbon building, organic production systems, and emerging practices such as biochar and enhanced rock weathering. The report integrates producer and stakeholder engagement to identify barriers, opportunities, and policy considerations. It emphasizes voluntary adoption, long-term funding support, future research needs, and farmer-centered implementation approaches. The findings provide a science-based foundation for legislative decision-making related to agriculture, climate mitigation, and resiliency.