How to use this map
The flow runs from farm records through calculation, aggregation, verification, fuel production, and tax-credit use. Each handoff is a point where evidence, payment, or responsibility can be lost. Click any role for the full assessment framework.
01
Farmer / Farm Producer
Creates the feedstock and the source records behind every CI input.
Requires: Accurate records, eligible practices, nutrient documentation.
Not required: Any specific software platform or product purchase.
Revenue: Crop sales, potential low-CI premium
Conflicts: Pressure to enroll without clear payment terms
Failure mode: Missing records, unclear attributes, lost premium
02
Agricultural Expert
Supports nutrient budgets, practice interpretation, and yield documentation.
Requires: Relevant expertise and documented methodology.
Not required: endorsement of any product or program.
Revenue: Advisory fees
Conflicts: Product commissions, program referrals
Failure mode: Weak documentation, undisclosed conflicts
03
Agronomist / Crop Advisor
Recommends practices and products that may affect CI inputs.
Requires: Independence and disclosed conflicts.
Not required: Use of a specific commercial platform.
Revenue: Advisory fees, product sales
Conflicts: Commissions on recommended products
Failure mode: Undisclosed product bias
04
Nutrient Management Provider
Supplies fertilizers, inhibitors, biologicals, and related products.
Requires: Product labels, application records, accurate claims.
Not required: Automatic FD-CIC treatment.
Revenue: Product sales
Conflicts: Sales incentives framed as CI reductions
Failure mode: Claims that don't map to FD-CIC inputs
05
Farm Data Platform
Collects, organizes, and transmits farm and field data.
Requires: Data accuracy, security, and portability.
Not required: Ownership of farmer data or attributes.
Revenue: Subscriptions, data services
Conflicts: Secondary data use, model training, attribute creation
Failure mode: Data lock-in, unclear reuse rights
06
CI Calculator / MRV Software
Organizes records and calculates or transmits CI results.
Requires: Reproducibility against the official FD-CIC.
Not required: Replacement of official tool or verifier.
Revenue: Subscriptions, per-acre fees
Conflicts: Proprietary estimates, consulting overlap
Failure mode: Model drift, unverifiable estimates
07
Farmer Enrollment Program
Connects farmers with buyers and manages data workflows.
Requires: Clear payment terms and buyer commitment.
Not required: Guaranteed payment or premium.
Revenue: Fees, attribute spread
Conflicts: Data rights, attribute ownership, exclusivity
Failure mode: No buyer, unclear payment, broad data rights
08
Originator / First Point of Aggregation
Receives, controls, and documents feedstock movement.
Requires: Moisture and dry-weight accounting, mass-balance controls.
Not required: Ownership of farmer CI attributes.
Revenue: Grain margin, aggregation fees
Conflicts: Duplicate attribute sales, commingling
Failure mode: Mass-balance errors, duplicate attributes
09
Intermediary / Processor
Processes or transforms feedstock before biofuel production.
Requires: Chain-of-custody and attribute tracking.
Not required: Independent verification of farm records.
Revenue: Processing margin
Conflicts: Commingling, loss of traceability
Failure mode: Broken chain of custody
10
Biofuel Producer
Produces renewable fuel and may claim or transfer the 45Z credit.
Requires: Feedstock substantiation and CI documentation.
Not required: Direct farmer payment.
Revenue: Fuel sales, tax credits
Conflicts: Credit maximization vs. accuracy
Failure mode: Unsupported CI, credit recapture
11
Independent Verifier
Tests records, calculations, and controls.
Requires: Accreditation, independence, and documented scope.
Not required: Consulting or software relationship with the entity.
Revenue: Verification fees
Conflicts: Prior consulting, implementation, or marketing ties
Failure mode: Conflicts, narrow scope, backdated readiness
12
CPA / Tax Advisor
Prepares returns and advises on credit eligibility.
Requires: Relevant tax expertise and diligence.
Not required: Endorsement of feedstock programs.
Revenue: Advisory and preparation fees
Conflicts: Referral compensation
Failure mode: Unsupported credit positions
13
Tax Credit Buyer / Fund
Purchases or transfers tax credits.
Requires: Diligence on feedstock and credit substantiation.
Not required: Direct farm relationship.
Revenue: Credit discount spread
Conflicts: Credit invalidation risk
Failure mode: Recapture, counterparty failure
14
Insurer / Risk Provider
Provides coverage for crop, yield, or credit risk.
Requires: Clear coverage terms.
Not required: CI verification.
Revenue: Premiums
Conflicts: Coverage gaps for CI claims
Failure mode: Excluded perils
15
Law Firm
Advises on contracts, regulatory, and dispute matters.
Requires: Relevant expertise and independence.
Not required: Endorsement of commercial positions.
Revenue: Legal fees
Conflicts: Representing both sides of a transaction
Failure mode: Missed contract risks
16
Technical Due-Diligence Provider
Assesses feedstock systems, controls, and claims.
Requires: Independence and methodology.
Not required: Affiliation with a program or software vendor.
Revenue: Diligence fees
Conflicts: Vendor referrals, software partnerships
Failure mode: Rubber-stamp reviews
17
USDA, Treasury, IRS, DOE
Issue rules, guidance, and credit administration.
Requires: Compliance with published rules.
Not required: Approval of every vendor or claim.
Revenue: N/A
Conflicts: N/A
Failure mode: Ambiguity, lagging guidance
18
Farmer Associations, Universities, Media
Provide education, research, and reporting.
Requires: Accuracy and independence.
Not required: Endorsement of commercial products.
Revenue: Memberships, grants, advertising
Conflicts: Funding sources, sponsor relationships
Failure mode: Superficial or sponsored coverage