Grassroots Carbon
Grassroots Carbon program rewards outcomes of grazing practices on grasslands and pasturelands (increased carbon stocks) vs. paying for practices. The program uses PastureMap, a grazing management software company, to quantify the carbon sequestered.
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| Year Organization Established a Carbon Program | 2021 |
| Affiliated Organization Type | Start-up |
| Affiliated Organizations | Grassroots Carbon Public Benefit LLC |
| Buyers secured | Buyers include Marathon Oil, Rapid7, Shopify and others |
| Payment Basis to Farmers | $/ton of carbon generated |
| Payment Amount and Details | $16.50/MTCO2e. Grassroots Carbon uses a profit-sharing model to reflect the changing price of carbon. Landowners receive 80% of the payment after subtraction of measurement and certification costs. The credit price is negotiated with buyers on an annual basis. |
| Agricultural System Focus | Grasslands |
| Eligible States | U.S. |
| Eligible Practices | Producers should have grazing operations to participate in the program. |
| Contract Length | 10 years |
| Contract Details | Participating landowners commit to maintain and improve soil health for ten years after every year that they sell carbon. A flexible contract allows producers to exit if they find a better deal. |
| Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) | Soil and ecological testing, including measurement and verification, are conducted and paid for by Grassroots Carbon. After initial soil samples, a baseline is established, and samples are required every five years. |
| Digital Tools for MRV | PastureMap is a grazing management software program used by the program. |
| Qualification/eligibility criteria | Producers should have grazing operations to participate in the program. |
| Minimum Acreage | A minimum of 1,000 acres is required to sign up. For properties less than 1,000 acres, Grassroots Carbon can review on a case-by-case basis. |
| Must land be owned? | For the 2021-2022 season, the program requires that land be owned to participate. Grassroots Carbon only contracts with the landowner. For tenants, assignment of any portion of the agreement to the tenant must be agreed in writing by all parties in advance. Landowners must abide by the ten BCarbon standard principles, outlined in the database. |
| Minimum Data Requirements | Based on minimal information available, data required includes: Soil type, Land management practices, Field boundaries, Grazing plans (list is not exhaustive) |
| Years of management practice data needed | |
| Does the program pay for past practices? | |
| Additional information | |
| Payment Calculator |
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Program information was validated by a program representative in October 2022.
For additional details, visit the Grassroots Carbon’s website