Grassroots Carbon has delivered 1.9 million tonnes of carbon removals, becoming the largest soil carbon removal company in the United States, according to the Texas-based firm. More than 1.5 million tonnes have already been retired by corporate partners to manage emissions.
Founded in 2021, Grassroots Carbon focuses on measuring and verifying carbon stored in soils through regenerative ranching practices. Since 2022, the company has paid around $40 million directly to ranchers for sequestered carbon and provided a further $10 million in advance payments to support participation without upfront costs.
The company operates across roughly two million acres of grassland in 22 US states. In 2022, it issued the country’s first verified soil carbon payments, distributing more than $200,000 to ranchers in Texas.
“This industry-defining milestone marks a turning point for nature-based carbon solutions,” said Brad Tipper, chief executive of Grassroots Carbon. “Ranchers have cared for America’s grasslands for generations, and today they’re restoring soil health, increasing productivity, and improving the profitability of regenerative ranching.”
Grasslands in the US cover an estimated 655 million acres and are widely seen as a significant opportunity for carbon storage. Grassroots Carbon says its programme also delivers co-benefits including improved soil health, higher water retention and enhanced biodiversity.
Taylor Collins, land steward at Roam Ranch and co-founder of Force of Nature, said the company’s approach had supported land managers in adopting regenerative practices. “Their partnership gives producers access to the science, tools and financial incentives to restore grasslands in a way that’s both profitable and regenerative,” he said.
Dr Allen Williams, founder of Understanding Ag and a former Mississippi State University faculty member, said the impacts extend beyond individual ranches. “What happens on the land doesn’t only impact ranchers; it has a profound impact across the globe on biodiversity, soil health, carbon capture, and even the quality of our food,” he said.
The milestone is underpinned by Grassroots Carbon’s measurement and verification methods, including soil core sampling to a depth of one metre and the use of digital land management tools. The data are independently verified and converted into soil carbon credits.
“Our collaboration with Grassroots Carbon shows what rigorous science and trusted partnerships can deliver for the future of carbon and climate accounting,” said Lars Dyrud, chief executive of EarthOptics. He added that deeper soil sampling improves confidence in permanence and long-term carbon storage.
Participating ranches have reported water infiltration rates up to 30 times higher than on degraded land, according to the company, indicating improved soil structure and drought resilience.
“Grassroots Carbon is empowering ranching families to build resilience for the future,” said Chad Ellis, chief executive of the Texas Agriculture Land Trust. “They work hand-in-hand with ranchers, providing the tools, data and financial support that make regenerative ranching both practical and viable.”
Grassroots Carbon said it plans to continue expanding its operations across US grasslands, positioning regenerative land management as a scalable nature-based climate solution supported by carbon finance.
