Carbon Markets in Ag Need Clarity. A New Certification Initiative Is Underway.

At BounceAg, we believe that transparency isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s foundational to building farmer trust and program integrity. With soil-based carbon programs continuing to evolve, producers are often left navigating inconsistent contract terms, vague benefit structures, and complex enrollment processes. These barriers can stall participation and sew confusion in a space that holds real promise for agriculture.

That’s why we’re proud to support a new initiative led by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) in collaboration with Ag Data Transparent (ADT)—a project focused on creating a carbon market transparency certification to help bring clarity to contract evaluation and program design.

While this effort is still in development, BounceAg has been engaged in early strategy and planning—advising on farmer-first frameworks and practical messaging approaches that bridge technical standards with on-the-ground realities. We're contributing to a collective effort that aims to set clearer expectations for farmers and align industry practices with fairness, comparability, lasting value, and trust.

Our role in this project aligns with BounceAg’s broader mission: to create trusted pathways between sustainability programs and agricultural stakeholders. Whether we’re translating carbon policy, building educational tools, or supporting coalition-driven innovation, we remain committed to neutrality, transparency, and farm benefits.

As the certification framework takes shape, we encourage carbon program developers, ag industry leaders, and farmer organizations to engage, offer feedback, and be part of designing a market that works for producers—not just the platforms behind them. Reach out to Heather@BounceAg.com to learn more and get involved.

Let’s move toward to a future where carbon markets are understood, accessible, and create meaningful change for the agriculture industry.

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