What it is
The United Soybean Board's Carbon Toolbox is a free online tool that compares carbon credit programs available to US farmers. It profiles programs like Indigo Ag, Nori, BCarbon, and others, documenting payment structures, commitment periods, eligible practices, verification requirements, and per-acre payment estimates. The tool helps farmers navigate the fragmented carbon credit market.
Why we picked this
The agricultural carbon credit market is confusing for farmers: multiple programs with different requirements, payment rates, and commitment periods. This toolbox provides the side-by-side comparison that individual farmers cannot easily assemble on their own. First-year carbon credit revenue for farmers runs 3-12 USD/acre (0.1-0.4 credits/acre at approximately 30 USD/credit).
Key takeaways
- First-year carbon credit revenue for row crop farmers ranges from 3-12 USD/acre, varying by program, region, and adopted practices.
- The toolbox compares commitment periods (1-20 years), verification methods (remote sensing, soil sampling, modeling), and payment timing across major programs.
- Programs differ significantly in which practices qualify (cover crops, no-till, reduced nitrogen), making comparison essential before committing to a multi-year contract.