Soil Organic Carbon

SOC is an important indicator of soil health, quantifying the amount of carbon that has been sequestered from the atmosphere through plant roots and residues. Building SOC can improve soil health by:

  • Increasing soil moisture and nutrient retention
  • Improving soil aggregate stability
  • Enhancing habitat for soil organisms
  • Increasing erosion resistance

NRCS works with producers to develop a customized conservation plan through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Common conservation practices include:

  • Conservation crop rotation
  • Cover crops
  • Reduced tillage or no-till
  • Mulching
  • Soil carbon amendment
  • Conservation cover

For additional information on NRCS conservation programs in your state, click here.