Measure the soil-carbon sample plot at Antelope Valley alfalfa cropland, Lancaster CA (2026-07-31)

Antelope Valley alfalfa cropland near Lancaster, CA is enrolled in an improved-agricultural-land-management soil-carbon program, but its next core-sampling round hasn't been done — without a fresh round, the farm's carbon-credit claim has no current field data behind it. Standard: Verra VCS VM0042 IALM stratified SOC + bulk density; SDG 13.2/15.3. Proof: GPS-matched stratum + paired SOC/bulk-density cores + chain-of-custody — Real, Proven, One-of-one Reference method for the vcs_vm0042_soil_carbon_mrv standard (Verra VCS VM0042 v2.1 — Methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management (IALM); stratified soil-organic-carbon (SOC) + bulk-density field sampling feeding the project's Tier 2/3 model calibration and the Sampling and Monitoring Plan., ~60-120 min): 1. Confirm the sampling point against the project's registered carbon-stratum map and GPS coordinates; record the stratum ID. 2. Photograph the sampling location and surrounding management context (tillage pass, cover crop, residue, grazing evidence). 3. Extract paired composite soil cores at each required depth increment per the stratum's minimum sample count in the Sampling and Monitoring Plan. 4. Collect an intact bulk-density core at each depth increment using a known-volume ring; label with stratum, depth, and replicate number. 5. Log management-practice metadata (tillage, cover-crop presence, residue retention, amendments, grazing rotation) for the stratum since the last monitoring event. 6. Package samples with chain-of-custody paperwork and ship/deliver to the accredited lab within the required hold time for SOC (dry combustion) analysis. 7. Enter stratum ID, GPS, depth, replicate count, photos, and chain-of-custody number into the proof record; sign. Equipment: GPS-capable phone or survey-grade GPS, soil corer/auger with depth markings for each required increment (e.g. 0-30cm, 30-60cm), bulk-density core sampler (known-volume rings), sample bags + waterproof labels, cooler for same-day lab transport, field data sheet / project carbon-stratum map, camera Done when: Sampling point matched to the registered carbon-stratum ID, GPS inside the posting radius; Photo of the sampling location + surrounding management context (tillage, cover crop, residue, grazing); Paired composite SOC core + bulk-density core collected at every required depth increment; Management-practice metadata logged since the last monitoring event; Chain-of-custody to the accredited lab completed within hold time

Where

Antelope Valley alfalfa cropland, Lancaster CA

Pay

$312 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

GPS-matched stratum + paired SOC/bulk-density cores + chain-of-custody — Real, Proven, One-of-one

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

Level

entry

Open until

2027-07-31

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: Verra VCS VM0042 v2.1 — Methodology for Improved Agricultural Land Management (IALM); stratified soil-organic-carbon (SOC) + bulk-density field sampling feeding the project's Tier 2/3 model calibration and the Sampling and Monitoring Plan.

Bring

• GPS-capable phone or survey-grade GPS
• soil corer/auger with depth markings for each required increment (e.g. 0-30cm, 30-60cm)
• bulk-density core sampler (known-volume rings)
• sample bags + waterproof labels
• cooler for same-day lab transport
• field data sheet / project carbon-stratum map
• camera

Steps

1. 1. Confirm the sampling point against the project's registered carbon-stratum map and GPS coordinates; record the stratum ID.
2. 2. Photograph the sampling location and surrounding management context (tillage pass, cover crop, residue, grazing evidence).
3. 3. Extract paired composite soil cores at each required depth increment per the stratum's minimum sample count in the Sampling and Monitoring Plan.
4. 4. Collect an intact bulk-density core at each depth increment using a known-volume ring; label with stratum, depth, and replicate number.
5. 5. Log management-practice metadata (tillage, cover-crop presence, residue retention, amendments, grazing rotation) for the stratum since the last monitoring event.
6. 6. Package samples with chain-of-custody paperwork and ship/deliver to the accredited lab within the required hold time for SOC (dry combustion) analysis.
7. 7. Enter stratum ID, GPS, depth, replicate count, photos, and chain-of-custody number into the proof record; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Visible land-use change inconsistent with the registered project boundary (new tillage, conversion, unplanned grazing intensity) -> flag for the project proponent before continuing; never fold an anomalous stratum into the baseline unflagged.
• Bulk-density core disturbed, compacted, or incomplete on extraction -> discard and re-core; never submit a compromised core.

What counts as done

• Sampling point matches an approved carbon-stratum ID with GPS inside the posting radius
• Minimum required composite/replicate count met for the stratum's registered sampling design
• Paired bulk-density core collected at every SOC depth increment
• Chain-of-custody to an accredited lab completed within hold time

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.