IAC is currently recruiting participants for a new project that will measure the financial impacts of regenerative agriculture on Native farms and ranches in the Great Plains region.
This two-year project is a collaboration between IAC, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and Native producers.
“Implementing a regenerative production approach can revitalize land, support long-term profitability and provide risk-reduction benefits. However, the financial value these practices provide to the producer has not always been well-documented,” says Tomie Peterson, IAC’s Regenerative Economies Specialist. "By partnering with EDF to measure soil health, livestock health and financial data, we will better understand the full impact of regenerative agriculture, which will inform financial and technical resources for the ongoing adoption of these practices.”
What is regenerative ag?
Regenerative agriculture is a holistic approach to revitalizing land and ecological systems. It focuses on improving soil’s ability to regenerate over time by involving the whole farm ecosystem, including humans and wildlife.
It is a mindset that, in many cases, is already inherent in Tribal producers. However, various circumstances and barriers hinder the full success of putting these systems into practice. This is why IAC started promoting a full circle regenerative economy where native producers and businesses are given access to the tools and knowledge they need, provided a financing structure that supports their efforts and endeavors, and market opportunities that can generate long-term profits.
Common regenerative practices include:
Efficient nutrient management
Rotational grazing
Cover crops
Reduced tillage
Diverse crop rotations
Livestock integration into crop systems
Who can participate in this project?
Native farmers and ranchers practicing regenerative agriculture are encouraged to enroll in this project. Benefits of participating include:
Gaining insights that will help boost the long-term financial health of your farm or ranch
Valuable learning opportunities with farm finance educators and IAC technical assistants
$4,000/year stipend
Personalized financial enterprise analyses and profitability insights
Free soil and livestock health tests
To participate, producers must meet the following qualifications:
Be a member of a United States Federally Recognized Tribe.
Be located in the Great Plains and/or Rocky Mountains regions, including South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, or Idaho
Have strong recordkeeping practices.
Grow grain (corn, soybean, wheat), hay and/or raise livestock (e.g., beef cattle, bison).
Be willing to share agronomic practices and enterprise-level financial information with an instructor from a Land Grant University’s Farm Business Management program.*
Be willing to share farm information in public education materials, including reports, webinars and videos.*
*All data will be protected and participants can choose to remain anonymous in public documents.
Contact Tomie Peterson at tomie@indianag.org, talk to your local Technical Assistance Specialist or visit the project overview page to learn more.