The Process

From soil to verified credit

A scientifically rigorous, five-phase process built for MRV compliance.

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Five Phases

The Terrabit verification process

Baseline Assessment

We begin with a comprehensive baseline characterization of your enrolled acreage. This includes historical land use review, initial soil core sampling campaign at full density, and laboratory analysis of SOC at three depth intervals (0–30, 30–60, 60–90 cm). The baseline establishes the reference point against which all future sequestration is measured — getting it right, statistically and spatially, is the foundation of every credit you will ever issue.

Satellite calibration against baseline samples begins simultaneously, establishing the spectral-to-SOC correlation model for your specific field conditions.

Outputs: Baseline SOC Report Spatial Sample Map Spectral Calibration Dataset

Typical duration: 4–8 weeks

Core Sampling Campaign

Annual or biennial soil core sampling campaigns are conducted by our field technicians using standardized sampling protocols. Cores are extracted at stratified random locations distributed across enrolled acreage, with minimum sampling density of 1 composite sample per 40 acres. All samples are logged with GPS coordinates, timestamp, and technician ID before transport to our partner laboratory network.

Laboratory analysis uses Loss-on-Ignition (LOI) as the primary method, cross-validated with Walkley-Black for quality assurance. Bulk density measurements from undisturbed cores enable conversion from SOC% to tCO₂e/ha.

Outputs: Lab Analysis Certificate Chain-of-Custody Log Bulk Density Measurements

Typical duration: 6–10 weeks

Satellite Calibration

Sentinel-2 SWIR band reflectance data is processed and co-registered with ground-truth sampling locations. Field-calibrated regression models update the spectral-to-SOC relationship for the current monitoring period. This continuous satellite monitoring provides spatial coverage between sampling campaigns and enables detection of land management practice changes that could affect SOC trajectories.

Landsat 9 thermal data supplements the shortwave infrared analysis, particularly for soil moisture correction during periods with significant moisture variation.

Outputs: Calibrated Spectral Model SOC Distribution Map Temporal Change Stack

Continuous, updated monthly

Model Verification

The Terrabit verification model — an ensemble of gradient-boosted trees and random forests trained on USDA SSURGO Iowa and Illinois soil survey data — integrates field measurements and satellite observations into a final SOC estimate. The model produces point estimates with 95% confidence intervals at the field level. Cross-validation against USDA NRCS direct measurements is performed at each verification cycle.

Additionality and permanence risk assessments are calculated per the applicable protocol requirements. A permanence buffer pool deduction is applied to net credits before issuance.

Outputs: SOC Estimate + CI Net Sequestration Calc Additionality Statement

Typical duration: 2–4 weeks

Credit Issuance

Verified sequestration data is packaged into a registry-ready credit submission. The package includes the baseline report, monitoring data, verification model outputs, uncertainty quantification, additionality and permanence disclosures, and full chain-of-custody documentation. Terrabit works with you to select the appropriate registry (Verra VCS, Gold Standard, or CAR) based on your buyer relationships and market preferences.

Upon registry issuance, credits are assigned permanent serial numbers. Buyers receive the complete package including methodology white paper and data room access for due diligence.

Outputs: Registry-Issued Credits Credit Package PDF Buyer Data Room

Issued within 3–6 weeks of verification completion

Timeline

Typical project timeline

From enrollment to first credit issuance — a 24-week roadmap.

Wk 0 Wk 4 Wk 8 Wk 12 Wk 16 Wk 20 Wk 24 Baseline Sampling Satellite Verification Issuance
FAQ

Common questions

Annual sampling is standard for active accumulation monitoring. In years 1 and 2 we typically sample annually to establish a clean trend. After verification of consistent practice, biennial sampling with continuous satellite monitoring may be acceptable under some protocols. We determine cadence based on your enrolled acreage and chosen registry requirements.
The minimum enrolled area is 200 acres. This minimum ensures that the fixed costs of baseline sampling, satellite calibration, and registry submission are spread across enough credits to be economically viable for the grower. Smaller farms can participate through cooperative aggregation programs like Prairie Ridge Cooperative.
You do. Growers retain full ownership of all soil data collected from their land. Terrabit holds a limited license to use the data for verification purposes under your contract. We do not sell, aggregate for resale, or share your farm-level data with third parties without your explicit consent. You can request a full data export at any time.
Yes. Terrabit's methodology is compatible with Verra VCS (VM0042), Gold Standard Soil Carbon Activity, and CAR Soil Enrichment Protocol. We help you choose based on your buyer relationships, price expectations, and co-benefit requirements. In most cases, we recommend starting with Verra VCS given its broader buyer acceptance in North American voluntary carbon markets.
You are required to maintain the regenerative practices documented in your enrollment (cover cropping, no-till, or compost application) throughout the 3-year contract period. You must notify Terrabit if practices change. Terrabit handles all technical monitoring — there is no additional data collection burden on the grower beyond allowing field access during sampling campaigns.
Additionality — proving the carbon sequestration would not have happened without the project — is assessed using a combination of financial additionality (demonstrating the project is not economically viable without carbon revenue), common practice tests (comparing adoption rates of regenerative practices in the county), and regulatory surplus tests (confirming practices are not legally required). We document the additionality assessment in full for each credit package.
Voluntary soil carbon credit prices have ranged from $12 to $45/tCO₂e in recent years, with MRV-compliant, auditable credits commanding a premium over model-only estimates. Current market midpoint for high-quality agricultural soil carbon is approximately $20–30/tCO₂e. We recommend Terrabit's for-buyers page for current market context. Terrabit does not guarantee any particular credit price.
Practice changes that reduce SOC (e.g., reverting to conventional tillage) may trigger a permanence buffer pool deduction and could require reversal of previously issued credits. This is standard in all MRV protocols. Terrabit requires notification of any practice changes. Minor or temporary changes (e.g., emergency field work due to flooding) are assessed case-by-case. The contract specifies the exact obligations and consequences.