• First, farmers are now growing many new kinds of crops, including energy crops that produce burnable fuels for renewable energy production, and crops that produce materials for new environmentally-friendly “bio-based” industries, such as production of totally biodegradable plastics.  
• Second, communities are now willing to pay farmers to protect our environment, along with crucial resources such as drinking water.  For example, pastures on hilly lands can cheaply and effectively protect communities against floods and keep drinking water clean.  Pastures can also remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thereby helping in the fight against climate change.

These changes mean that farmers and other members of the agriculture industry are now being paid to produce a much wider range of products and services than in the past.  As a result, many new jobs and careers will be created in coming years.  Many will involve working with the agricultural industry as well as their many new ‘customers,’ such as environmentally friendly industries, environmental agencies and local communities, making sure that all involved get a fair deal.  Career opportunities include,

• Managing the handling and processing of materials grown on farms for environmentally-friendly bio-based industries
• Ensuring that these materials are produced in environmentally-friendly ways
• Making sure that farms effectively protect the environment in return for payments for that service.

Improving Environmental Quality is a CFANS priority.