Soil carbon - Articles

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Michael Fields Agricultural Institute Weighs In

The Agriculture Crisis Letter Gets the Diagnosis Right But Misses the Cure

By Dr. Success Okafor posted on February 7, 2026 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs, Investing in Regenerative Ag

The question is not whether we can afford to invest in regenerative agriculture. The question is whether we can afford not to.

International No-Till, Strip-Till and Cover Crops Research Journal - November 2025

Each month, the conservation ag group at Cornell University offers an analysis of the latest scientific papers dealing with conservation agriculture research from around the world. For this on-going web series, our editors will be selecting several research papers from the Cornell list that will be of special interest to North American no-tillers, strip-tillers and cover croppers.

By Frank Lessiter posted on November 18, 2025 | Posted in Economics, Investing in Regenerative Ag, Seeding Practices, Soil Health

In this edition:

No-Tillage System: A genuine Brazilian technology that meets current global demands
Nature’s laws of declining soil productivity and Conservation Agriculture.
Soil carbon storage or sustainable conservation agriculture practices—Which should be our goal?

Cover Crops Provide an Often-Overlooked Reduction in Soil Carbon Erosion, Study Finds

April 5, 2025 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Iowa State University

Planting ground cover in fields between cash crop growing seasons is an effective way to prevent farmland from losing soil carbon from erosion, a factor that’s underestimated in considering the carbon sequestration potential of cover crops, according to a new study by an Iowa State University ecologist.

Technological Advancements in Soil Health Monitoring and Management

December 19, 2024 | Posted in Investing in Regenerative Ag, Soil Health

Source: University of Nebraska - Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources CROPWATCH

Traditional methods of soil assessment have given way to sophisticated, data-driven technologies that provide unprecedented insights into soil conditions.

New MSU Research Helps Better Quantify Soil Carbon Stock Changes

March 13, 2023 | Posted in Economics, Investing in Regenerative Ag, Soil Health

Newly published research from Michigan State University demonstrates how to evaluate soil carbon stock changes more accurately. This calculation has significant implications on measuring the actual environmental benefits of regenerative agriculture practices and economic consequences through emerging carbon markets.

How Cover Crops Contribute to Soil Carbon Credits

With a soil carbon credit system, carbon becomes a valued commodity for growers to gain additional revenue.

November 16, 2022 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Soil Science Society of America

Farmers who use best practices to reduce carbon can be rewarded with soil carbon credits and earn additional income through carbon markets

[Video] Soil Carbon & Ecosystem Markets

December 22, 2021 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

In this video from the National Center for Appropriate Technology, hear from experts on soil carbon markets as they discuss how the agriculture industry can be more sustainable in the future, on-farm practices and soil biology, and carbon markets and public policy.

The Secret World of Soil Microbes

November 29, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: University of Massachusetts

The largest terrestrial carbon sink on earth is the planet’s soil. One of the fears that many scientists have is that a warming planet will liberate significant portions of the soil’s carbon, turning it into carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, and so further accelerate the pace of planetary warming. One of the key players in this story is the microbe: invisible, and yet the predominant form of life on earth. Read more in this article from the University of Massachusetts.

The Six Building Blocks of a Soil Carbon Contract

November 24, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Todd Janzen Blog

Carbon is number 6 on the periodic table and is made up of six building blocks—six protons and six neutrons. Contracts too, have their own building blocks. Read more in this article by agricultural attorney Todd Janzen.

Suppressing Pests in Healthy Soils

December 18, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

Farmers who improve soil health increase the amount of soil carbon being stored, and recycled. The increased carbon flow increases microbial numbers and efficiency leading to improved plant photosynthesis. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.