National and international climate discussions overlooked agriculture for decades. The climate community has happily realized the significance of agricultural and food systems in combating climate change. Climate specialists who are new to the complexities of food and agricultural systems must study how those systems function and the causes of food system change. This short paper challenges some of the most popular of these false solutions to the climate crisis. The paper offers a short overview of the importance of food and agriculture for effective climate action, then simple but important criteria to help assess whether policy proposals are likely to help or hinder progress on climate goals, considering both the need for mitigation and adaptation. Finally, we look at five highly-touted, yet ineffective — even counterproductive — proposals for climate and agriculture that risk setting back real progress on our climate objectives. For each example of a false solution, we offer a true solution as an alternative.