Protocols

ESMC’s protocol sets a monetary value on environmental benefits farmers can generate on their land including added soil carbon, reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions, and increases in water quality. All of these benefits flow from soil health.

EcoHarvest sells outcomes for soil carbon and net greenhouse gas impact units generated through a scientifically rigorous, standards-based, and cost-effective framework that meets corporate sustainability and reporting standards. Read a summary of ESMC’s Protocol (updated May 2024).

ESMC’s protocol includes numerous adaptations that cover regional differences throughout the United States. Progress to date includes coverage of all agricultural production systems in the Southern Great Plains and in the Midwestern corn and soy region. The protocol describes how farmers can quantify, monitor, report, verify and register outcomes generated on their working lands.

ESMC is adding biodiversity outcomes to the protocol.

The technical brief summarizing the assessment of quantification tools and models, protocols, and methodologies, which preceded the development of ESMC Protocol, may be found here.