Dr. Keith Paustian

Methodology focus

University Distinguished Professor at Colorado State University. Architect of COMET-Farm, the USDA's standard greenhouse-gas accounting tool for agriculture. Advocate for an integrated MRV framework combining ground measurement, remote sensing, and process-based models — exactly the schema proof packs compose.

Trellison / LedgerWell intersection. Methodology co-design. If Paustian blesses a proof-pack schema, USDA adoption becomes realistic.

Affiliation

Colorado State University

Role

University Distinguished Professor

Axis

Nature-Based MRV

Tier

Tier 3

Selected publications

Numerous — COMET-Farm methodology papers, soil carbon modelling. multiple venues.
Ongoing — USDA NRCS and CLA working papers. USDA.

Alignment with proof packs

Their methodology / role	Proof-pack / Trellison fit
COMET-Farm standard	Proof packs generate COMET-Farm-compatible outputs
Integrated MRV framework	Proof pack IS an integrated MRV composition
USDA policy relevance	Paustian's blessing is the USDA adoption path

Collaboration concepts

Concept 1

Proof pack + COMET-Farm interoperability specification

Technical specification for output compatibility.

Concept 2

USDA NRCS proof-pack pilot proposal

Joint proposal to USDA for farm-scale proof-pack deployment.

Concept 3

CSU / Trellison joint methodology brief

Academic paper on integrated soil-carbon MRV with proof packs as reference implementation.

Outreach approach

Proposed opening message

Subject: A multi-scale MRV composition engine for your work

Dear Keith Paustian,

Your multi-method MRV framework for nature-based carbon removal has been a design reference for a per-tonne open-data verification instrument that Trellison Institute has been building. We call the artefact a proof pack.

I would welcome a 30-minute conversation to show you the current alpha. We are not asking for endorsement; we are asking for methodology critique and, if useful, an offer of alpha access for your active work. Independent negative evaluations would be published alongside positive ones.

A one-page methodology brief that maps your work to proof-pack schema fields — with gaps flagged honestly — is attached.

With respect,
Rob Stillwell
Director, Trellison Institute

What we do not ask for

Endorsement of Trellison, LedgerWell, DaedArch, or any affiliated entity.
Exclusivity or first-look rights on research findings.
Unpaid labour. Any advisor role is compensated with a modest honorarium and disclosed on the record.

Disclosure: Compiled from public sources through April 2026. Inclusion does not imply endorsement, affiliation, or reciprocal interest. Corrections: About.

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