CleanTechies #256 Soil Health, Carbon Markets & Measuring the Hidden Climate Solution Beneath Our Feet | Chris Tolles (Yard Stick PBC)
Aug 13, 2025
In this conversation, Chris Tolles, Founder & CEO of Yard Stick PBC, dives into the vital role of soil health in combating climate change. He reveals that soils can store more carbon than all trees and plants combined, making them an essential climate ally. Tolles discusses how accurate soil carbon measurement fosters collaboration among farmers, agribusinesses, and carbon markets, ultimately driving economic resilience. He emphasizes that healthy soil not only supports climate but also ensures food security, connecting agricultural practices with corporate responsibility.
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Soil Carbon Is A Hidden Giant
- Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a massive but invisible global carbon stock that far exceeds trees and biomass.
- Accurate, scalable measurement is essential to manage and restore SOC for climate and food security.
Measure Carbon Before Selling Credits
- If you want to sell soil carbon credits you must measure soil carbon accurately and at scale.
- Yardstick replaces lab analysis with in-situ spectroscopy to meet methodology requirements for credits.
SOC Links Soil Health To Supply Risk
- Soil organic carbon is the best single indicator of soil health and links directly to crop resilience and productivity.
- Companies with agricultural supply chains can treat SOC as a risk metric for supply continuity.