Soil Carbon Amendment (336) and the Role of Biochar
A USDA Program That Puts Carbon Back Where It Belongs
When people talk about improving soil, they usually mean adding nutrients. But long-term soil health depends on something deeper — stable carbon. Not the kind that breaks down fast, but the kind that sticks around for years, sometimes centuries.
That’s what the USDA had in mind when they introduced Soil Carbon Amendment, Code 336. It’s a conservation practice that gives landowners and farmers a way to build healthier soil, store more carbon, and support the life below ground — all with support from the NRCS.
So What Is Soil Carbon Amendment 336, Exactly?
It’s a USDA program, managed by the NRCS, that encourages the use of carbon-rich materials in soil. Things like biochar, compost, or treated plant- and animal-based byproducts.
The goal is simple: use lasting organic amendments to improve structure, hold water, support microbes, and build up soil carbon over time.
If you’re applying these kinds of materials to cropland, pasture, forest, or even farmstead areas — and if you want that work to be part of a conservation plan — 336 gives you a framework to do it right, and potentially get financial support along the way.
It also pairs well with other regenerative practices like cover cropping, no-till planting, or nutrient management. Most NRCS field offices already know about it. You just have to ask.
NRCS defines the 336 amendment category as applying to land that includes:
Cropland
Pasture
Range
Forest land
Developed lands and farmsteads
If your land could benefit from added organic matter, better water retention, or more stable structure — 336 could be a fit.
Why Biochar Is a Natural Fit
The USDA specifically includes biochar in its guidance for Soil Carbon Amendment 336. That’s no accident. Properly produced biochar — like what we make at Standard Biocarbon — supports every core goal of the program:
It increases soil carbon stocks, often for decades or even centuries.
It improves soil structure and water-holding capacity.
It supports microbial life by giving bacteria and fungi a porous place to live.
It helps tie up nutrients and reduce runoff, especially when used with compost or cover crops.
Ties up metals, salts, herbicides and PFAS in soils which can inhibit plant health
SBC Biochar is made from clean, sawmill-sourced wood in a low-oxygen, high-efficiency pyrolysis system. It meets or exceeds USDA-referenced benchmarks (like IBI certification and STA compost quality), and we offer both raw and inoculated forms — depending on your land and timing.
Is Your Operation Eligible?
If you’re a landowner, farmer, conservation district, or land manager working with the USDA’s NRCS office — there’s a good chance you already qualify.
This practice applies to:
Cropland, hayfields, and vegetable operation
Grazing and pasture systems
Forest restoration sites
Farmsteads and rural infrastructure zones
Urban gardens and community-scale plots (in some cases)
Whether you manage 200 acres or a 2-acre demonstration plot, the 336 amendment could support your work — especially if you’re focused on regenerative practices or climate-smart ag.
Your local NRCS office or technical service provider can help walk you through the assessment process, including:
Soil testing
Carbon/nutrient planning
Monitoring and documentation
Connecting to EQIP or CSP funding streams
How Standard Biocarbon Fits Into Your 336 Plan
If you're considering biochar as part of your 336 practice, it’s important to choose a product that meets both the letter and spirit of the USDA’s conservation goals.
Here’s how SBC Biochar stacks up:
Regionally produced. - supports the New England sustainable forest trades. Maid from sawmill residuals. No trees harvested to produce our biochar. Made in the USA from northern spruce and fir residuals
No additives, fillers, or contaminants — just carbon-rich biomass
IBI-referenced production method using temperatures >350°C under limited oxygen IBI and EBC compliant. OMRI certified. Meets all USDA NRCS standards for the usda 336 program
Available inoculated (pre-blended with mature compost) or raw, based on your system
Lab-tested for PFAS, Dioxins, Metals and tracked for consistent carbon content, ash levels, and surface area
Our team can provide the documentation and analysis you need to include in your plan — including nutrient specs, application guidance, and maps if needed. We work with conservation planners, TSPs, and landowners directly.
Call a team specialist at Standard Biochabon who can assist you in getting the resources you need to access this important soil health program.
How to Get Started with Code 336
If you want to include biochar in a Soil Carbon Amendment project, here’s what to do:
Contact your local NRCS office
Let them know you're interested in practice code 336 and would like to improve your soil carbon profile. Find your nearest office HERE.Request a soil test and conservation assessment
This helps determine eligibility and sets a baseline for improvement. Find your local agricultural extension service HERE.Develop a plan with your planner or TSP
This includes where, how, and when the amendment will be applied — along with any paired practices like nutrient management or reduced tillage.Select your amendment
Make sure your biochar (and/or compost) meets USDA specs. That’s where we come in with our high carbon, source verified material.Apply and monitor
Amend the soil according to the plan. Monitor changes in organic matter, structure, and biological activity over time — often tracked 1 to 3 years after application.
Need help sourcing USDA-compliant biochar?
We’ve worked with growers, researchers, and restoration projects across the Northeast and beyond. Our product is clean, carbon-rich, and purpose-built to support your soil — and your plan.
Why This Matters
Soil is more than dirt — it’s a living system that can either release carbon or hold onto it. The USDA’s Soil Carbon Amendment 336 practice recognizes this, and biochar is one of the most effective tools we have to make that system stronger, healthier, and more climate-resilient.
With every application, you’re not just improving yield or structure — you’re building long-term soil health and contributing to the fight against climate change.
Let’s Work Together
Whether you’re writing a 336 plan now or just starting to explore soil amendments, we’re here to help.