Key Takeaways
- David Schurman highlights how digital soil mapping lowers costs, improves accuracy, and increases scalability compared to traditional sampling.
- Verra’s approval of VT0014 enables regenerative agriculture projects to access carbon markets in regions with limited soil data.
- Case studies with Bayer and rTek show VT0014’s applicability across both multinational and regional projects.
- Scaling adoption globally will require not only technology but also supportive regulatory frameworks.
- Transparency, scientific rigor, and outcome-based validation remain central to trust in carbon markets.
David Schurman on the Significance of VT0014
The approval of VT0014 by Verra is a pivotal development for regenerative agriculture projects aiming to access carbon markets. For many regions with limited or inaccessible soil data, such as parts of Africa, Latin America, or Central Asia, participation was previously unfeasible.
“The approval of VT0014 by Verra is a watershed moment for regenerative agriculture projects looking to access carbon markets, particularly in understudied regions and regions where soil sampling is challenging or cost-prohibitive,” said David Schurman, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Perennial.
By standardizing digital soil mapping, VT0014 reduces logistical barriers and enables broader farmer participation.
David Schurman on Digital Soil Mapping vs. Traditional Sampling
Traditional “measure-remeasure” soil sampling, while scientifically robust, requires large volumes of samples that are often costly and impractical.
“With Perennial’s ATLAS-SOC model, often 10x fewer samples are needed. This cuts up front measurement costs and makes it more feasible in regions where sampling is a challenge,” Schurman explained.
Digital soil mapping not only lowers costs but also increases accuracy by generating thousands of soil organic carbon (SOC) data points. According to Schurman, this results in lower uncertainty and potentially more saleable carbon credits.
Case Studies: Bayer and rTek
Perennial’s partnerships with Bayer and rTek demonstrate VT0014’s versatility.
“Bayer’s Ecosystem Services business runs regenerative agriculture-based carbon projects globally and needs a solution that can scale with them. Digital soil mapping — and VT0014 — can work for whatever region or crop type they need to quantify SOC on,” said Schurman.
Meanwhile, rTek is restoring 500,000 hectares of grasslands in Kazakhstan’s Altai Steppe. “VT0014 enables the rTek team to make this work financially and logistically,” Schurman added.
Both examples highlight how the technology lowers entry barriers and supports equitable revenue sharing with farmers.
David Schurman on Scaling to 100 Million Acres
Perennial’s target of regenerating 100 million acres of land is closely tied to VT0014’s adoption.
“VT0014 opens the doors to projects that may have been previously considered ‘off-limits’ or ‘out of bounds’ for traditional MMRV approaches. It works across crop types, land uses, and regions — including the understudied ones that can’t yet be served by biogeochemical models,” Schurman noted.
However, he emphasized that regulatory progress is essential, calling for legislation that promotes sustainable farming and requires transparency in supply chains.
Building Trust: David Schurman on Transparency and Validation
Carbon markets rely on trust and verifiability. According to Schurman, that is why VT0014 was developed over four years with input from more than 30 experts and in collaboration with Verra.
“Models used under VT0014 must meet high performance requirements, tested through outcome-based validation. Each project must prove model accuracy using measured soil samples from within the project area,” Schurman explained.
He concluded: “By combining rigorous science, open validation, and trusted third-party governance, Perennial gives both project developers and farmers assurance that credits are real, verifiable, and defendable in the global carbon market.”
Conclusion
The approval of VT0014 signals a broader shift toward inclusivity in carbon markets. As David Schurman emphasized, the approach reduces costs, increases precision, and enables projects in regions once excluded.
For Perennial, it marks a significant step toward regenerating 100 million acres and underscores the importance of coupling technological progress with regulatory support and scientific transparency.
