Soo Happy!!
A USDA Climate Smart Commodities grant of approximately USD $4 million has been awarded for the purpose of ‘Increasing Accessibility to Regenerative Farming Practices and Markets for Small and/or Underserved Producers’ to A Greener World (AGW) and their project partners–the Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI USA) and Soil Health Institute (SHI).
Some of you know I have been involved in the development of the Certified Regenerative by AGW program since 2017. The program is now launched and I have full faith in the excellent team at AGW. This certification is very unique because it will tailor the regenerative approach to the specific holding and location. To me, this was essential for making a truly regenerative approach, as we know sustainable and regenerative solutions are never one-size-fits-all, especially as it is intended to be available world-wide.
As organic has only ever reached less than 1% of U.S. farmland after decades, if we really want to better this planet we need we need to add to our approach. I think it is important to follow a producer once they make the commitment to regenerative through their journey, whether they be small, underserved or conventional and large.
With this grant, the partners will be able to do exactly that. They will ‘assist small and underserved producers with climate-smart regenerative farm planning and emissions reduction plan design, and incentivize participation, and climate-smart practice implementation. RAFI-USA and SHI will work alongside AGW to assist farmers, ranchers, and landowners, with RAFI-USA providing technical support in regenerative plan development and SHI providing practical and scientific expertise in soil health analysis and measurement.’
In short, I am So happy to see widening-access to something in which I have put a lot of time and effort. This will be a win for both small and underserved producers and our planet! 👏👏 💚 🌎
#biodiversity #regenerativeagriculture #soilhealth #socialresponsibility #certifiedregenerative #underserved #smallfarmers