One farmer’s story of risk, resilience, and an unexpected check
Farmers are under real pressure right now. Input costs are up. Weather is less predictable. Margins are tight—and in many cases, uncertain. At the same time, the push toward regenerative practices is growing, driven by both environmental need and long-term farm resilience.
But there’s a gap.
While carbon markets and sustainability programs promise future rewards, farmers are often asked to carry the financial burden upfront—absorbing the risk, the cost, and the time it takes for those benefits to materialize.
At Creekside Carbon, we believe that the model needs to change. Farmers shouldn’t have to wait years to be rewarded for practices that benefit all of us.
We spoke with South Carolina farmer Zan Tomlinson about what it looks like on the ground—from adopting regenerative practices to receiving early payments—and why timing can make the difference between staying in business or not.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your farm and where you’re located?
Zan: We’re in Lynchburg, South Carolina, farming across Lee and Sumter Counties. I’ve been farming full-time since 1998, after getting out of college.
We grow corn, soybeans, wheat—and this year we’re trying peanuts for the first time. We also do hay, raise cows and pigs, and run 16 turkey houses—that’s about 96,000 turkeys most days.
Q: When did you start adopting regenerative practices like cover crops or reduced tillage?
Zan: We’ve been strip-tilling for about 15 years, and cover crops for the last six to eight years.
At first, it was about adding rotation where we were limited financially to the same crop. But we’ve seen more benefits than we expected—better ground cover, weed control, and moisture retention.
Q: Are those practices making a difference for your operation?
Zan: Yeah, I think so. We’re seeing some yield improvements in places, and overall it’s helping the land. It’s not just about rotation anymore—it’s about building something more resilient.
Q: What are the biggest challenges you’re facing right now?
Zan: Input costs are number one—fertilizer especially. Weather is probably number two, and labor is right up there as well.
And honestly, things were already tight before fuel and fertilizer prices jumped. Now it’s even harder.
Q: How did it feel to receive a carbon payment for the practices you’re already implementing?
Zan: It was wonderful. We were already doing this for soil health and better crops. Getting paid for it—that’s a bonus we weren’t counting on.
And this time of year, money is usually going out—seed, inputs, rent. So getting money coming in instead makes a big difference.
Q: Does the timing of that payment matter?
Zan: Absolutely. The quicker we can get paid, the better. The last couple of years have been tough financially.
If it takes another six or eight months, we might not even be in business. So getting paid earlier—it’s not just helpful, it’s critical.
Q: How real is that pressure—staying in business?
Zan: It’s real. Even for diversified farms like ours. We’ve got poultry, cattle, row crops—we’re spreading risk as much as we can.
But I don’t know how guys make it if they’re just doing corn and beans. Honestly, I don’t know how I make it some days.
Q: What do you wish consumers understood about farming today?
Zan: Most of the risk in agriculture falls on the farmer.
Crop insurance helps, but it doesn’t make you whole. And just because you see expensive equipment doesn’t mean we’re making money—we need that equipment to operate.
We do this because we love it, and because of legacy. My grandfather farmed this land, and I want to leave it better for the next generation.
Q: How is weather impacting your farm today?
Zan: It feels more extreme now—either too wet or too dry. Not like it used to be.
We’ve invested in irrigation to manage that risk, but it’s still one of the biggest unknowns we deal with.
Q: Are farmers becoming more open to regenerative practices?
Zan: Definitely more open. We all know we need fertilizer, but we’re looking for anything that improves soil health and efficiency.
If one farmer tries something and it works, others pay attention. We share what works. That’s how change spreads.
Ten years ago, I might’ve said cover crops were a waste. Now, after years of doing it, I see the value.
How You Can Get Involved
Creekside exists to close the gap between people who care about American farming, regenerative land stewardship, and climate — and the farmers actually doing this work. Here's how to go deeper:
Experience the land directly. Join us at the Creekside Carbon Retreat on July 16–17 in Kansas. Walk the fields, meet the farmers, and see regenerative agriculture in action. Reserve your spot
Support farmers now. Fuel a Farmer or Adopt an Acre to help provide support when farmers need it most while building a real connection to the land and the people caring for it. See more