Blog

By Jonathan Kilpatrick, Farmer Education Director

SFA is excited to announce two new grant awards that will significantly strengthen our work of transforming agriculture, farmer-to-farmer consulting, and providing adaptive grazing support across the Upper Midwest.

First, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has awarded SFA a $260,000 grant: “Expanding Regenerative Grazing in the Upper Mississippi Watershed.” This funding will help us scale up our Farmer-to-Farmer Consulting program by covering the cost-share portion of consulting fees for farmers and ranchers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa who are seeking technical support with grazing. In addition to direct support for farmers, this grant will allow us to produce more grazing-focused media, including case studies, podcast episodes, and educational resources. It will also provide support to our Midwest Grazing & Soil Health Summit, helping us expand the impact of this newly rebranded event.

“Almost 20 years ago, we had the opportunity to begin one-on-one coaching with individual farms,” says Kent Solberg, SFA’s Senior Technical Advisor. “This funding not only ensures that we can continue to provide individual, customized farmer support, but expand opportunities to work with additional farms and like minded organizations in Minnesota and surrounding states. SFA has long recognized and provided support for the well managed thoughtful integration of livestock as a key soil health principle, as an opportunity for both experienced and beginning farmers to improve their bottom line, and as a means of expanding regenerative agriculture across more acres.”

Second, SFA has joined a multi-state collaboration through the Green Lands Blue Waters Midwest Perennial Forage Working Group to support the project “Gaining Ground for Temporary Grazing in Minnesota,” funded by Minnesota NRCS. This initiative unites a diverse team of grazing professionals working to advance regenerative practices across the region.

Jane Jewett, Associate Director of the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and the Grazing Coordinator at Green Lands Blue Waters, highlighted SFA’s long-standing role in the working group: “The Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota has been a vital member of the Midwest Perennial Forage Working Group since its inception in 2011. This multi-state network of grazing education leaders has produced grazing-focused resources that serve both educators and farmers across the Upper Midwest. SFA’s farmer-led perspective has ensured that our materials consistently hit the triple mark: grounded in science, visually engaging, and delivering compelling messages.” Jewett, a farmer herself, is also a longtime member of SFA.

Through this project, I will lead the development of two practical handbooks designed to help agency staff and conservation professionals organize effective soil health field demonstrations. Additionally, sharing insights and fostering discussion on regenerative grazing principles and practices at conferences and workshops around the state will be part of my work with this project. This grant will also contribute support to the continued growth of the Midwest Grazing & Soil Health Summit.

Together, these new funding opportunities mark a significant step forward in expanding access to practical, farmer-led grazing support and advancing regenerative agriculture across the Upper Midwest. Is it a coincidence—or is the time truly right to scale up regenerative grazing across Minnesota and beyond?

With growing uncertainty around federal programs and agency involvement, it feels as if the weighty responsibility for building resilient food and farming systems may increasingly be falling to farmers, ranchers, and organizations like SFA. Fortunately, grazing livestock offers practical answers to many of the most pressing questions we face today—questions about rural viability, economic opportunity for small and mid-sized farms, nutrient-dense food, and environmental stewardship.

“There is a long history of research showing the value of forages and grazing in agricultural systems,” Jewett notes. “Recent modeling highlights just how beneficial it can be to have livestock and grazing components on farms. Farms gain from improved soil health and multiple income streams. Positive environmental effects even outpace the direct farm benefits: reduced water runoff, less silting of streams and rivers, and lower phosphorus and nitrate loads in water. As water quality concerns become more acute, this is a great time to be promoting grazing models with potential for wider adoption. Temporary grazing options can weave into farmers’ existing systems and provide an easier on-ramp to grazing than some models of all-forage operations.”

Embracing perennial systems and regenerative grazing isn’t just a trend—it’s a hopeful path forward. We’ve all witnessed the consequences of a degraded agricultural system: dust storms blanketing highways causing multi-car pile-ups, gullies draining precious topsoil into waterways, and declining food nutrition under the weight of corporate consolidation.

Regenerative grazing offers practical solutions to many of the pressing challenges we face today. By increasing perennial cover on the landscape and encouraging farm diversification, we can revitalize rural economies, strengthen farm profitability, and safeguard our soil and water. With the right support, regenerative grazing becomes a powerful tool to build a more resilient, sustainable food system—for today and for future generations.

Will you join us?

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Could you use a knowledgeable mentor or a fresh set of eyes on your operation? SFA’s Farmer-to-Farmer Consulting Program connects you with experienced farmers who can offer personalized support, insight, and encouragement as you pursue regenerative agriculture.

Whether you’re just getting started, have years of experience, or fall somewhere in between, our consultants can help you identify next steps, explore new opportunities, and move forward with clarity and confidence.

Join us and take the next step in building a resilient, regenerative farm.

Farmer Support

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This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number 2004.25.085287 “Expanding Regenerative Grazing in the Upper Mississippi Watershed.”