Sustainable Farming & Fuel: How Conservation Practices Support Renewable Energy Goals

As the demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) markets grows, conservation practices like no-till farming and cover cropping are becoming increasingly important. Corn farmers are beginning to use conservation practices for the option to sell to companies wanting ethanol for SAF. Reducing the number of trips across the field, implementing minimal or no-till farming, and utilizing cover crops can significantly lower the Carbon Intensity (CI) score of corn used for SAF.  

Justin Rahn, an Illinois corn farmer, recently went to the SAF conference, Illinois Future of Fuels: Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Beyond Conference, held by Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA). Rahn spoke on a panel during this conference to talk about the conservation practices he partakes in and how they affect his farm. Attendees unfamiliar with farming practices were able to ask him questions about sustainable practices and learn their impacts directly from a farmer. 

Reducing Carbon Intensity with Conservation Practices 

"Fewer trips across the field, minimal tilling, and cover crops help reduce carbon emissions," Rahn explained. Some cover crops contribute by putting carbon directly into the soil, further improving sustainability by using crops as opposed to machines to implement carbon into the soil. 

Precision Conservation Management Data Collection

Due to the requirements of SAF, farmers will need to track their conservation practices to have the opportunity to sell to SAF markets. "I work with PCM [Precision Conservation Management], who collects and tracks everything I do on my farm. They meet with me twice a year to record what I planted, how much fertilizer I used, how many passes I made, and what inputs were applied to my fields. At the end of harvest, they track my yields, moisture levels, and transportation distances," Rahn shared.shared. 

This data provides insights to farmers on the effectiveness of conservation practices and makes it easier for farmers to sell to SAF markets. These practices can be of great use to farmers, but they do come with challenges. 

Challenges in Conservation

Farmers face several challenges when integrating conservation practices into their operations. "Terminating cover crops at the right time can be difficult, especially when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Germination and growth in fall can be a struggle, particularly in dry soil conditions," Rahn explained.  

Another issue is the high costs of using cover crops and the need for financial incentives. "We need to be paid more for what we’re doing—cover crops cost money, and farmers need support to make it work,” Rahn expresses. He goes on to address that the companies who need the ethanol for SAF should be the ones to provide those incentives.  

For conservation practices to be used by more farmers, they must have incentives. "There is an incentive if the premium is high enough," Rahn stated. However, some farmers still rely on conventional methods like chisel plowing to manage soil compaction, highlighting the need for a balance between profitability and sustainability. 

Advice for Farmers

For those considering conservation practices, Rahn suggests the best approach is to start small. "Try it on a small scale first and work your way into it. Maybe start with half a field or one field before expanding," suggested Rahn. Proper care is essential to making cover crops effective, and smaller-scale experimenting can help determine what works best for individual operations.