Champion Seed partners with Indigo Ag to bring carbon profit opportunities to growers

Family-owned and independently operated seed company Champion Seed has partnered with Indigo Ag to help growers maximize profit potential in the Carbon by Indigo program.

The partnership will streamline farmers’ access to a sustainability-focused revenue stream in the rapidly growing voluntary carbon market.

″We know our customers are innovating every day to maximize the economic and environmental sustainability of their farms,″ says Brett Hodnefield, Champion Seed founder and co-owner. ″This partnership with Indigo will help our growers be rewarded for soil health practices.″

The collaboration bolsters an emerging effort from independent seed companies to get involved in carbon markets, based on growing interest in profit opportunities from conservation-focused farming practices. Through this collaboration, Indigo is equipping farmers to enter the carbon market with support from advisers they already know and trust. The growing interest is seen in Indigo’s enrollment growth. More than 5.5 million acres and thousands of farmers are currently enrolled in Carbon by Indigo, and close to $5 million has been paid to growers in the program.

″Farmers enrolled in this program take home 75% or more of the credit sale price with Indigo’s market-based pricing,″ says Hodnefield. ″Our hope is that growers on the fence about carbon farming will take advantage of the guidance and expertise we can offer through this partnership.″

Beginning with the 2023 planting season, farmers who implement new soil health-focused practices— such as reduced tillage and cover crops — will be eligible to receive a payment for credits produced and sold. Indigo’s verified credits are issued by the Climate Action Reserve, and nearly 20 brands have already committed to purchasing these credits. Growers participating in Indigo’s first two carbon crops received $30 per verified credit produced and sold, already a 200% increase from the original minimum payment rate.

″We are pleased to work with Champion Seed, a leader among independent seed companies and a partner who deeply values innovation and grower relationships,″ says Dan Mongeau, senior director of Carbon Partnerships at Indigo Ag. ″Working with trusted brands such as Champion helps farmers translate soil health practices to a new income stream in a more accessible manner. We look forward to serving Champion Seed growers in 2023 and beyond.″

Champion Seed customers can contact the office at 515-836-2141 for more information on the partnership.

If you’re a farmer seeking more information on carbon farming and ways to add additional revenue to your operation, visit Indigo’s Carbon College for on-demand courses featuring farmers, agronomists and scientists.

About Champion Seed

Founded by family partners, Champion Seed is an independently owned, regionally focused seed company that strives to build and maintain the broadest portfolio of genetics and traits. We aren’t limited to one gene pool — but instead have the freedom to select the best of the best from the top breeding programs to meet the varying needs of our customers. We match seed-to-soil right down to the county level and from seed selection to delivery we are with our customers every step of the way.

About Indigo Agriculture

Indigo Ag improves farmer profitability, environmental sustainability, and consumer health with nature-based and digital technologies. The company’s core offerings – Carbon, Market+, and biotrinsic – integrate across the supply chain to optimize how the world’s most impactful crops are produced, sourced, and distributed. Founded in 2013 with a mission of harnessing nature to help farmers sustainably feed the planet, today the company’s technology connects stakeholders across the agricultural ecosystem to unlock sustainability and profitability benefits for all.