A $2 million investment will allow the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) to implement regenerative farming practices for ranchers and farmers in seven U.S. states.
Farmers and ranchers in Texas, New Mexico, California, Colorado, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Virginia will participate in the “Soil for Water” initiative. The project launched in 2015, prompted by the impact of droughts. It utilizes technology, peer-to-peer learning, and on-farm monitoring.
“Economically, regenerative agriculture has the potential to increase forage production, drought resilience, animal health, access to lucrative new markets, and therefore profitability,” said NCAT project lead Mike Morris. Enrichment of local and regional food systems is an anticipated result.
Investors include the National Resource Conservation Service, $980,000; The Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation, $50,000; and the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, $1 million.
Hundreds of small- to mid-sized family farms and ranches are the project’s target, focusing on improved soil health, rainwater catches, reduced erosion, sustained diverse plant and animal life, and pollutant filtering.
“The Soil for Water Project is connecting us with a network of other ranchers who are [using] animals to grow more grass and keep more water in the ground,” explains Maggie Eubank, who raises grass-fed, sustainably produced meat.
Priority for program participants will be drought-prone regions. Taking advantage of a current demand for this type of meat and local produce will help boost rancher profits and strengthen these communities.
Source: Ark Valley Voice
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Organic & Non-GMO Insights August 2021
