Louisiana GLCI hosts CEMA 216 Soil Test Workshop, June 8

On June 8, 2026, 27 attendees gathered to learn about what is required for Qualified Individuals (QIs) to do CEMA 216 soil tests for producers. The CEMA 216 test is required as part of the NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program.

We began the day with classroom work to discuss the background information. What is RPP, what is CEMA 216, what is NRCS.

RPP is the NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program. In December 2025, NRCS launched the NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program, a farmer first, outcomes-based approach to conservation designed to return the agency to its core mission – helping people help the land. This pilot program addresses whole-farm resource concerns through support for voluntary regenerative agriculture conservation plans.

As part of participating in Regenerative Pilot Program, producers must:

• Work with NRCS staff, partners, or technical service providers to conduct a whole-farm assessment;

• Use at least one primary regenerative management practice; and

• Agree to perform soil health testing in the first and last year of the contract (at a minimum) to establish a starting baseline and to record the resulting changes.

CEMA 216 is the soil test required for RPP participants. This test is a more extensive process vs. a standard soil test. It requires the assessment of five soil indicators: Soil Aggregation, Soil Carbon Cycling, Microbial Activity, Carbon Food Source, and Nitrogen Food Source; as well as Soil pH and texture.

This CEMA 216 testing process cannot be done by the NRCS staff. It must be completed by a technician with specific qualifications, which is referred to as a Qualified Individual, or QI. The Qualified Individual is required to meet with the farmer/rancher, collect soil samples with specific protocols, send the samples to approved laboratories for advanced analysis, and submit detailed documentation.

More information on the CEMA 216 test can be found on one of our previous blog posts here.

NRCS is the Natural Resource Conservation Service. Their mission is to deliver conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect natural resources and feed a growing world. For more information about Louisiana NRCS, visit this website.

Then around noon, we went in the field to actually take soil samples. The group paired up to work together and conduct a soil test in the field. After lunch, we went back to the classroom and worked through the paperwork that is required for sending in those soil samples.

James McCollum, from Waters Lab was on hand with sampling bags and to give instructions on what the lab needs as well.

Edgar Mersiovsky from Conway, AR is a QI, and retired NRCS state soil scientist, and he instructed us on details of soil types, using maps, selecting the testing site, etc.

MANY THANKS to our partners for this event: LSU AgCenter & Southern SARE for supplies, which included a bucket and a sharp shooter shovel (the recommended tool for this certain soil test practice), and printed materials.

If you missed out attending this CEMA 216 workshop, we are planning to host an additional workshop later this year. Announcements for that will be made in our email newsletter and on our social media. If you're not already receiving our emails, you can subscribe here.