Jessica Chiartas is a PhD candidate in Soils & Biogeochemistry at the University of California, Davis. Her research focuses on the long-term impacts of agriculture on soil carbon and overall soil health with a unique focus on carbon at depth. She is interested in better understanding soil health/regenerative ag practices on a soil type, cropping system, climate specific basis, as well as the standardization of metrics and methodologies for use in policy initiatives, economic markets, and other incentive programs.
She serves on the Soil Science Society of America Science Policy Committee, the North Coast Soil Health Hub Advisory Board, and the ROC Soil Health Advisory Committee. She is a partner member of the California Farm Demonstration Network, which brings together California Department of Food and Ag, UC Davis, UC Cooperative Extension, UC Ag and Natural Resources, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Resource Conservation Districts, and Farm Bureau to create a farmer-to-farmer network of discovery, support, and knowledge/information sharing. She is also currently working in collaboration with NRCS to develop a website, a series of short videos and educational resources that highlight the connection between soil and life.