Organic Farming Practices Said to Reduce Carbon Dioxide

Researchers are finding more benefits to farming organically: retention of carbon improves soil quality and helps to slow global warming. According to a study conducted by the Rodale Institute, carbon retention in soil and organic matter reduces carbon-dioxide levels that contribute to global warming. Soil that is rich in carbon is more productive and more readily retains moisture.
Studies at the Institute found that soil farmed organically retained 15% - 28% more carbon than conventionally farmed soil. This would be the equivalent of 1,000 lbs of carbon or 3,500lbs of carbon dioxide, per acre-foot of soil. This model could have a direct correlation to the huge corn and soybean farms of the Midwest. If the 160 million acres that comprise only those two crops were farmed organically, the amount of carbon dioxide produced annually by the United States would be significantly reduced.