Every certification begins with the ag carbon program provider answering 10 questions about their contract.  Here are the 10 questions:

1. What entity is providing the carbon program to farmers? What is the name of program that is verifying as Ag Carbon Transparent?

i. Provider: _____________

ii. Program: ______________

2. Who does the provider intend to sign up for the program?

• Guidance: Identify the farmers, ranchers, soybean growers, row crop farmers who the programs are intended to benefit.

3. What are the environmental assets that are being measured, generated and monetized by the program?

• Guidance: Environmental assets include carbon credits, carbon assets, and other forms of environmental stewardship that might be measured (such as water, biodiversity, etc.).

4. Does the provider use a third-party protocol/methodology to measure and verify environmental assets?

• Yes/No. Explain.

5. Does the contract explain payment contingencies, how payments are calculated and what the anticipated timing for payments will be?

• Guidance: Things to consider in your answer:

i. Is payment guaranteed or flexible?

ii. Has a buyer been identified or are future sales dependent on finding buyers?

iii. Are payments programmatic or outcome-based?

6. Does the contract allow the provider to change requirements from one year to the next?

• Guidance: What elements of the contract are in the sole discretion of the provider to change after the contract begins?

7. Is land ownership required for participation?

• Guidance: Is the program open to tenants as well as landowners?

8. Does the contract impose costs or penalties for early termination?

• Guidance: Identify what penalties may apply if either party terminates before the end of the term.

9. Is access to the farm required for participation?

• Guidance: If yes, what is the frequency of visits and how much notice is provided?

10. Does the contract prohibit participation in other programs?

• Guidance: This question is intended to cause the provider to explain what types of programs can or cannot be stacked with the provider’s program.

• Also identify whether participation would limit or prohibit participation in any government programs?