SOIL & CLIMATE INITIATIVE: FARM ASSESSMENT TOOL

Purpose

This assessment tool is designed to help SCI Farm Assessors systematically evaluate farms enrolled in the SCI Verification Program. It aligns with the Farm Commitment & Verification Standard, Version 3.0 and centers around SCI's Regenerative Pillars and Pillar requirements to provide a framework to verify the implementation of regenerative farming action elements.

Assessment Information

Field	Information
Farm Name
Producer Name
Assessor Name
Assessment Date
Total Farm Acres
Enrolled Acres
Field IDs being assessed

Assessment Instructions

1. Complete this assessment with the producer during the farm visit
2. For each pillar, verify and document evidence of implementation
3. Take photographs where applicable to document observations
4. Collect soil test results and other relevant documentation
5. Note any non-conformances that require corrective action
6. Provide feedback to the producer on areas of strength and opportunities for improvement

1.1 Tillage Assessment (Annual Row Crops)

Requirement	Status	Notes
5.3.1 Primary inversion tillage implements (e.g., moldboard plow) are prohibited	Compliant Non-compliant N/A
5.3.2.a-d Tillage events have been documented and the SCI TI Calculator has been used to calculate tillage intensity value TI Value:	Compliant Non-compliant N/A
5.3.3 Designated traffic areas to reduce compaction are established	Compliant Non-compliant N/A
5.3.4 No burning of crop residue	Compliant Non-compliant N/A

1.2 Tillage Assessment (Perennial Cropping and Orchards)

Requirement	Status	Notes
5.3.5 Tillage reduction plan submitted TI Calculator used to calculate tillage intensity value TI Value:	Compliant Non-compliant N/A
5.3.6 Designated traffic areas to reduce compaction are established	Compliant Non-compliant N/A

1.3 Field Observations

Observation	Status	Notes
Visual soil structure assessment	Poor Moderate Good Excellent
Evidence of erosion	None Minimal Moderate Severe

2.1 Living Roots Assessment (Annual Row Crops)

Requirement	Status	Notes
5.4.1-5.4.4 Photosynthetic activity duration (% of growing season) %	Compliant Non-compliant N/A
5.4.1-5.4.4 Living vegetative cover during non-growing season (% of enrolled acres) %	Compliant Non-compliant N/A

2.2 Living Roots Assessment (Perennial Cropping and Orchards)

Requirement	Status	Notes
5.4.6-5.4.9 Middle-row vegetation meets the Engagement Level requirements	Compliant Non-compliant N/A

2.3 Field Observations

Observation	Status	Notes
Current presence of living roots	Poor Moderate Good Excellent
Evidence of year-round management for living roots	Poor Moderate Good Excellent
Cover crop establishment	Poor Moderate Good Excellent N/A

3.1 Soil Coverage Assessment (Annual Row Crops)

Requirement	Status	Notes
5.5.1 Decrease in percentage of bare soil after baseline assessment	Compliant Non-compliant N/A
5.5.2 Utilization of green fallow system if fallow is used	Compliant Non-compliant N/A

3.2 Soil Coverage Assessment (Perennial Cropping and Orchards)

Requirement	Status	Notes
5.5.3 Decrease in bare soil in middle rows after baseline assessment	Compliant Non-compliant N/A

3.3 Field Observations

Observation	Status	Notes
Current soil coverage percentage	%
Type of soil coverage	Living plants Crop residue Mulch Other:
Uniformity of soil coverage	Poor Moderate Good Excellent

OVERALL ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

Areas of Strength

Opportunities for Improvement

Farm Assessment Recommendation