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AFT Prosperity partners
CEMA 216 Soil Health Testing
AFT holds the Qualified Individual credential your NRCS contract requires
CEMA 216 Soil Health Testing
NRCS requires a Qualified Individual to document, interpret, and certify CEMA 216 Soil Health Testing for your EQIP or CSP Regenerative Pilot Program (RPP) contract. American Farmland Trust's team of technical specialists holds that credential. With guidance from our team, you collect your own samples and work directly with our accredited, NRCS-compliant laboratory partner. AFT handles the sampling design, interpretation, and certified report, positioning you to move forward with your NRCS contract and receive reimbursements.
Meeting your RPP Requirement
If you're enrolled in NRCS's Regenerative Pilot Program, CEMA 216 Soil Health Testing is a contract requirement. NRCS specifically requires the work to be completed by a Qualified Individual: someone who holds a recognized credential (like a Technical Service Provider certification) and can certify that the testing meets NRCS's requirements and deliverables.
That's the core problem AFT’s Prosperity Partners program solves. You need a QI. We are one.
How it Works
As your Qualified Individual, AFT will design your CEMA 216 sampling strategy and mapping, provide you with sample collection training and support, and develop a report that meets NRCS standards.
Here are all the steps in the process:
- Tell us about your operation. Our intake form covers your property, fields, NRCS program status, and management history. This form gives us everything we need to get started.
- Speak with your NRCS planner. They may require a pre-work conference before sampling takes place. If so, set up a time for the three of us to chat. If not, document their written approval for us to proceed.
- Get your sampling plan. We design a strategy based on your goals and fields and set you up with maps.
- Collect your samples. Follow our easy training materials, ship samples to our accredited laboratory partner, and pay their discounted fees.
- Get your report. Once the results come back, we’ll interpret them, flag anything worth addressing, and deliver a complete, NRCS-ready report.
Why We Work This Way
NRCS says that “Individuals working under the guidance or management of a QI are allowed to collect soil samples for this CEMA.”
Paying for a Qualified Individual to come to your farm to collect samples can be costly and challenging. With this model, you can collect your own samples under our oversight, minimizing labor and travel fees.
Our remote support model keeps your costs low and makes our services accessible no matter your location. By handling the sampling design, interpretation, and certification remotely, we can serve producers in all areas, ensure your CEMA 216 deliverables meet NRCS standards, and let you complete the parts of the process you’re equipped to do yourself. Through our partnership with Ward Laboratories, you also receive a 10% discount on lab fees.
Why Farmers and Ranchers Work With AFT
FAQs
NRCS requires CEMA 216 Soil Health Testing to be performed by a Qualified Individual — someone holding a recognized credential (such as a Technical Service Provider certification) who can certify the work meets NRCS's requirements and deliverables. Without a QI, your testing won't satisfy your RPP contract. NRCS recognizes three distinct paths to this credential, and AFT's team holds all three.
Yes. NRCS specifically allows anyone working under the guidance of a Qualified Individual to collect their own samples for CEMA 216. That's what keeps our service affordable and lets you handle the physical sample collection yourself, under our oversight.
Only if your NRCS planner requires a pre-work conference for your contract. If they don't, a documented written approval from them is enough for us to proceed — no live meeting necessary.
No. Fieldvision and AFT-Prepared Mapping cost the same — it's about which fits your operation better.
No. AFT's fee covers sampling strategy, mapping, results interpretation, and your certified report. Lab fees are separate and paid directly to our accredited, NRCS-compliant laboratory partner, Ward Laboratories, when you ship your samples — and our partnership gets you a 10% discount on those fees.
It is easier for you to submit it yourself. If you need us to communicate with NRCS for you, NRCS requires you to submit an NRCS-1270 Information Release Request authorizing AFT to communicate with them about your contract.
Ward Laboratories, which uses NRCS-required methods and holds the necessary credentials. They also have some of the fastest processing times and most affordable prices. Working with AFT lands you a 10% discount!
It depends on your field conditions, processing times, and current workload. Typically, we expect that your project can be completed in less than one month if environmental conditions are suitable for sample collection. Contact us as soon as possible to ensure that nothing holds up your contract.
Probably. RPP contracts require testing in year 1 and year 5. Reach out again in 5 years for us to help again!
Nope! We can also help with non-RPP CEMA 216s that are contracted by NRCS. The process is the same.
CEMA 216 Soil Health Testing
CEMA 216 Soil Health Testing
