Take the first soil-carbon baseline sample at Nashua River farm plots, Groton MA (2026-07-07)

No one knows how much carbon the soil at Nashua River farm plots, Groton MA holds, so we cannot show it is improving. Take careful baseline samples so future work can be measured against them. Standard: USDA-NRCS/COMET stratified SOC + bulk density; SDG 13.2 Proof: Photo of each sample core location + Core depth and bulk-density notes + Composite sample label per stratum + date Method (USDA-NRCS / COMET soil organic carbon baseline (stratified cores + bulk density, lab SOC by dry combustion), ~60-120 min): 1. Confirm the field + management zone; record GPS; lay out stratified sampling points by soil type / slope position. 2. At each point, take cores at defined depth increments (e.g., 0-10 and 10-30 cm); record each depth. 3. Collect a known-volume bulk-density sample at each depth (needed to compute carbon per area). 4. Composite same-depth cores per zone; bag, label, and complete chain-of-custody to the lab for SOC% by dry combustion. 5. Photograph the site, a soil profile, and each sampling point; note land use and management history. 6. Record the GPS grid, depths, bulk-density samples, COC number, and photos into the proof record; sign. Equipment: soil core sampler / auger, bulk-density ring (known volume), depth tape / markers, sample bags + labels, GPS phone, camera, chain-of-custody + data sheet Done when: Stratified cores at defined depths recorded per zone; Bulk-density sample collected per depth increment; Composited samples bagged + chain-of-custody to an accredited lab; GPS grid + profile/point photos + management-history note

Where

Nashua River farm plots, Groton MA

Pay

$95 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

Photo of each sample core location + Core depth and bulk-density notes + Composite sample label per stratum + date

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

entry

Open until

2027-07-07

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 60–120 minutes. Method of record: USDA-NRCS / COMET soil organic carbon baseline (stratified cores + bulk density, lab SOC by dry combustion)

Bring

• soil core sampler / auger
• bulk-density ring (known volume)
• depth tape / markers
• sample bags + labels
• GPS phone
• camera
• chain-of-custody + data sheet

Steps

1. 1. Confirm the field + management zone; record GPS; lay out stratified sampling points by soil type / slope position.
2. 2. At each point, take cores at defined depth increments (e.g., 0-10 and 10-30 cm); record each depth.
3. 3. Collect a known-volume bulk-density sample at each depth (needed to compute carbon per area).
4. 4. Composite same-depth cores per zone; bag, label, and complete chain-of-custody to the lab for SOC% by dry combustion.
5. 5. Photograph the site, a soil profile, and each sampling point; note land use and management history.
6. 6. Record the GPS grid, depths, bulk-density samples, COC number, and photos into the proof record; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• SOC% is lab-measured, not field-read -> mark result 'pending lab'; make NO on-site carbon claim.
• Very low SOC / bare compacted zones observed -> flag as priority for carbon-building practices.
• Do not claim a carbon credit or retirement from this baseline alone — it establishes a starting point for later re-measurement.

What counts as done

• Stratified cores at defined depths recorded per zone
• Bulk-density sample collected per depth increment
• Composited samples bagged + chain-of-custody to an accredited lab
• GPS grid + profile/point photos + management-history note

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.