The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has taken a significant step towards promoting sustainable soil practices with the introduction of the Soil Carbon Amendment Code 336. This new standard, established in 2022, advocates for the application of carbon-based amendments, including compost and biochar, derived from plant materials or treated animal by-products.
The journey began in California in 2015, where the benefits of compost application were recognized and formalized. Following successful field trials in the state, the NRCS introduced compost as Interim Practice 808. This move allowed for further testing of compost on various terrains and made it a part of several Conservation Practices. By 2021, ten other states had embraced it as an interim practice.
The current focus is on encouraging more states to adopt CSP 336. This adoption will pave the way for a broader consideration of compost in conservation planning and make it eligible for reimbursement through NRCS conservation programs. Frank Franciosi, the Executive Director of the US Composting Council (USCC), emphasizes the importance of this step and calls for collective efforts to promote the adoption of this standard.
For those interested in supporting this initiative, the USCC has created the NRCS Code 336 Resource Hub, which provides resources and guidance on how to get involved.