Carbon Sequestration Certification Program

Agricultural Offsets

The carbon program is designed to provide participating aggregators of agricultural soil carbon offsets with quality verification services. To qualify for the fee-based verification service, an aggregator must be an approved participant in the carbon program. 

Carbon offsets from the following agriculture practices are eligible for verification and, on average in Oklahoma, sequester carbon at the rate shown: 

• Conservation tillage (0.2  -0.6 metric ton/acre/year)
• Grassland establishment (0.4 - 1.0 metric ton/acre/year)

Because these practices require minimal soil disturbance, they typically have a positive NRCS soil condition index and sequester more carbon than traditional cropping systems that use full width tillage. Research has provided an estimated rate that these two practices sequester carbon dioxide. Knowing the rate allows a value to be calculated and paid to the offset provider. 

Oklahoma agricultural producers interested in entering their conservation tillage or grassland offsets into a carbon contract, and having the offsets verified through the state's program, should contact a state approved aggregator. Aggregators who want to participate in the program should apply to become a state approved aggregator.

For more information on the market viability of soil carbon offsets, read the summary of the international soil carbon offset consultation held at Purdue University in October 2008.