SCI assessment is designed as a collaborative field review, not a pass/fail inspection conducted at arm's length. The assessor combines farmer context, direct observation, measurements, photos, and the current farm plan to build a defensible picture of current performance and next steps.
SCI-approved assessors must meet relevant qualification and competency expectations, complete SCI training and evaluation, demonstrate professional conduct and no conflict of interest, and maintain approval through annual calibration and continuing education.
Applicants should have highly relevant experience for field work, documentation, and farmer communication. Examples include agronomists or soil scientists, professional soil health consultants, NRCS Technical Service Providers or Soil Conservationists, CCAs with regenerative/soil-health emphasis, EOV monitor training, or advanced-level SCI farmers with at least five years of local farming experience.
Farm assessments support compliance review and farmer transition work, but assessors do not make Verification decisions. Completed assessments are delivered to the approved third-party auditor and used with other evidence during the audit process.
FarmLab is the required field data workflow described in the onboarding materials. Before entering the field, confirm that the assessor can access the correct farm, see the mapped boundaries and SHMP points, and record data on a GPS-enabled mobile device.
Soil Health Monitoring Points (SHMPs) are the repeatable anchor for SCI soil monitoring. The methodology uses geolocated locations so changes can be compared over time.
The methodology states the number of SHMPs is based on enrolled acres and places SHMPs in the two predominant soil types.
| Enrolled acres | SHMPs |
|---|---|
| 550 or less | 2 |
| >550–1,200 | 3 |
| >1,200–2,200 | 4 |
| >2,200–3,500 | 5 |
| >3,500–5,100 | 6 |
| >5,100–6,900 | 7 |
| >6,900–9,000 | 8 |
| >9,000 | Contact SCI |
Use this diagram as the visual field reference for the Soil Health Monitoring Point (SHMP) layout. It shows the 12 soil-core and penetrometer locations, the center sampling zone, water infiltration Sites A and B, and the Q1 worm-count area.
Field tests provide quantitative and visual evidence for the SHMP assessment. Conditions matter: moisture, temperature, residue, and test placement can materially affect what you observe, so document context in FarmLab.
Conduct annually at designated Sites A and B. Drive a 6-inch ring into the soil, use the plastic-lined ring and a measured 450 mL of water, remove the plastic, and record infiltration time. The methodology calls for two readings and photo documentation.
Rubric anchors: Score 1 ≥30 min · Score 3 10–30 min · Score 5 <10 min
In Q1, measure a 12 × 12 inch area, excavate to 12 inches, gently count worms, photograph evidence, return worms and soil, and geolocate the site. Moist soil and moderate temperatures produce more meaningful observations.
Rubric anchors: 0–1 worms/no castings = 1 · 2–3 = 3 · 4+ with abundant activity = 5
Use one intact golf-ball-sized aggregate from each of two locations within the Midpoint. Place on mesh, immerse, start the timer immediately, observe undisturbed for exactly 5 minutes, estimate percent remaining, and photograph with the timer visible.
Updated rating: 0–10% Very Poor · 10–30% Poor · 30–60% Moderate · 60–85% Good · 85–100% Excellent
At each of 12 core points, test within 0.5 m of the core location. Zero the gauge, clear surface debris, insert vertically, push until 300 psi, record penetration depth, and photograph the distance. Deeper penetration indicates less compaction.
Rubric anchors: <4 in = 1 · 4–6 in = 3 · >6 in = 5
The SHMP scorecard organizes field-level evidence for Pillars 1–4. The assessor script is a prompt guide; the scorecard is the paper record; the rubric supplies score anchors.
Record soil structure, compaction, average penetration depth at 300 psi, aggregate stability, infiltration results, tillage evidence, traffic patterns, compaction concerns, and planned reduction strategies.
Score active root system, photosynthetic coverage, and cover crop contribution. Record coverage types and quality: distribution, thickness, stability, decomposition, root-soil interaction, and timing for continuous living roots.
Score bare soil percentage and coverage effectiveness. Document residue, cover crop residue, mulch, early plantings, living weeds, causes of bare areas, and planned seasonal improvements.
Document cover crop species, beneficial insects, wildlife evidence, functional plant groups, worm counts/channels/castings, and action elements showing success. Score field biodiversity and combined biological activity.
The farm-level assessment captures whole-farm evidence not confined to a single SHMP. The supplied materials focus this review on Pillars 4, 5, and 7.
Identify required action elements by engagement level (Level I=1, II=2, III=3, IV=4). For each element record visible, not visible, or planned status, planned date if applicable, wildlife observed, and totals implemented/functioning, not visible, and planned.
Review herbicides, weeds, insecticides/fungicides, synthetic fertilizers/N, organic or OMRI-listed controls, prior-season pest/disease challenges, IPM strategies and reductions, current-season improvements, target reductions, and observable evidence such as injury, weed pressure, natural pest-control support, or application equipment changes.
Mark not applicable when there is no livestock. Otherwise assess outdoor access, shelter/shade/water, body condition, rotational grazing, stocking density, pasture recovery, ≥80% vegetative cover, traffic management, manure distribution, and riparian/wetland protection.
The assessment is not complete until the field record is synchronized and the physical samples are handled correctly.
Use this workflow as the final field-ready sequence. It combines the principles, sampling methodology, scripts, scorecards, and FarmLab instructions into one operating routine.
Review farm plan/self-assessment, engagement information, SHMP map, seasonal conditions, and required equipment.
Confirm correct farm, boundaries, SHMP points, GPS, and data-entry screens before sampling.
Record farm name, date, assessor, weather, rainfall context, and begin whole-farm observations.
Mark the Midpoint and follow the prescribed core and field-test layout.
Take 12 cores, split 0–6 and 6–12 inches, composite by depth, barcode and label correctly.
Infiltration, worm count, updated slake, and penetrometer at their designated locations; document evidence and conditions.
Use the SHMP script, scorecard, and rubric for Pillars 1–4. Preserve measurements exactly in the transcript.
Evaluate Pillars 4, 5, and 7 using the farm-level script and scorecard. Separate visible, not visible, and planned.
Check missing scores, notes, photos, barcode/depth assignment, weather metadata, and planned dates.
Synchronize in service, freeze samples, package with submittal form, and ship early in the week.
Download any original PDF used in this tutorial. Section-specific downloads also appear at the end of every training module.