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About
Yard Stick PBC is a Public Benefit Corporation offering an end-to-end soil carbon measurement and management platform. Designed for agricultural carbon projects, research institutions, and sustainability-focused farms, the technology transforms the traditionally expensive and complex process of soil carbon monitoring into a streamlined, data-rigorous workflow. The platform is organized around three core capabilities. MEASURE provides in-situ soil carbon data collection using spectral sensing technology, delivering instant and affordable readings without the delays of traditional lab analysis. PLAN enables users to stratify farms and fields, generate statistically rigorous sample plans, and satisfy requirements of leading soil carbon protocols such as Verra VM0042 and CAR SEP—ensuring the right samples are taken in the right locations. ANALYZE offers a centralized dashboard to map, track, audit, and share soil carbon data, giving project stakeholders a single authoritative source of truth. Yard Stick's technology is backed by peer-reviewed science, including a joint Geoderma publication with SHI on spectral soil carbon MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification). The company's mission targets gigaton-scale soil carbon removal by removing the measurement barriers that have historically slowed adoption of climate-friendly agricultural practices. Yard Stick is best suited for carbon project developers, agronomists, conservation organizations, and enterprise agricultural operations looking to participate in voluntary carbon markets or meet sustainability reporting requirements.
Key Features
- In-Situ Spectral Carbon Sensing: Collects soil carbon measurements instantly in the field using spectral sensing technology, eliminating costly and slow laboratory workflows.
- Statistically Rigorous Sample Planning: Stratifies farms and fields automatically and generates sample plans that meet the statistical and agronomic standards of protocols like Verra VM0042 and CAR SEP.
- Centralized MRV Analytics Dashboard: Maps, tracks, audits, and shares soil carbon data in one platform, providing a single source of truth for project stakeholders and auditors.
- Protocol Compliance Support: Built-in alignment with leading voluntary carbon market protocols ensures data is audit-ready for Verra VM0042, CAR SEP, and similar standards.
- End-to-End Managed Service: Users provide field boundaries and Yard Stick handles measurement logistics, reducing operational burden for project developers and farm managers.
Use Cases
- Agricultural carbon project developers verifying soil carbon sequestration for voluntary carbon credit issuance under Verra VM0042 or CAR SEP.
- Farms and ranches measuring baseline soil carbon levels to participate in carbon markets or sustainability certification programs.
- Research institutions conducting large-scale soil carbon studies requiring rapid, cost-effective field measurements.
- Agribusinesses and sustainability teams tracking soil health and carbon stocks across multiple farm portfolios for ESG reporting.
- Conservation organizations monitoring land management changes and their impact on soil carbon over time.
Pros
- Drastically Reduces Measurement Cost: Spectral in-situ sensing eliminates the need for expensive laboratory analysis, making soil carbon monitoring economically viable at scale.
- Peer-Reviewed Scientific Credibility: Technology is backed by published research (Geoderma), lending credibility for use in regulated carbon markets and scientific studies.
- Full-Stack Workflow Coverage: Covers the entire project lifecycle—from sample planning and field measurement to data analysis and stakeholder reporting—in a single platform.
Cons
- Niche Market Focus: Highly specialized for agricultural soil carbon projects; not applicable for general environmental monitoring or non-agricultural land use.
- Pricing Not Publicly Listed: No pricing information is available on the website; prospective users must contact the company directly, which can slow procurement decisions.
- Dependent on Field Logistics: Despite managed services, projects still require coordination of field boundaries and on-the-ground access, which can be challenging at large geographic scales.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yard Stick PBC's core technology?
Yard Stick uses in-situ spectral sensing to measure soil carbon directly in the field without sending samples to a laboratory, delivering instant and affordable results.
Which carbon market protocols does Yard Stick support?
Yard Stick's sample planning and data workflows are designed to satisfy leading soil carbon protocols including Verra VM0042 and the Climate Action Reserve Soil Enrichment Protocol (CAR SEP).
Who is Yard Stick designed for?
The platform is designed for agricultural carbon project developers, agronomists, conservation organizations, farmers, and enterprise ag operations participating in voluntary carbon markets or sustainability programs.
How does the managed measurement service work?
Users provide their field boundaries to Yard Stick, and the company handles all logistics—including sample planning, field measurement, and data delivery—as part of its end-to-end service offering.
Is there scientific validation for Yard Stick's approach?
Yes. Yard Stick co-authored a peer-reviewed publication in Geoderma with SHI validating their spectral soil carbon MRV methodology.
