Growing Together:
Building a Lower-Risk Path to Regenerative Farming
(An excerpt from ‘The Dirt”: SCI’s Monthly Farmer Newsletter)
At SCI, we're trying to build a real community of farmers who have honest conversations about what regenerative farming actually looks like on the ground. Our goal is to provide a risk-reduced path for anyone who wants to make this transition.
Across all the farms that have signed up over the years, SCI now has close to 450,000 acres in what I call our “acre bank.”
We’re consistently writing grants and fundraising so farmers can put acres in the bank and make progress on soil health without shouldering the cost. And the long-term goal is to leverage those acres to open markets and financial opportunities for farmers.
As a farmer, I’m trying to figure out the same things you are. How do I break out of commodities? How do I get more value out of my regeneratively grown crops and livestock other than savings I have on the farm?
I don't have it all figured out and I believe in under-promising and over-delivering. But what I can promise is that SCI is going to keep working at it alongside you.
Good luck getting through this harvest season and, as always, please reach out if there’s something we can help with.
🌾 Taylor Herren, Farm Program Director
P.S.Our next Office Hour is September 24 at 4pm ET.
Topic: More Than Commodities: Unpacking the Path to Premium; Featuring: Joni Kindwall-Moore, Founder & CEO of The Ryzosphere
Every "regenerative" farmer asks "How do I get more value out of my crops?" Let's have an honest conversation about what it takes to get paid more for practicing regenerative ag. Joni will share what she's learned over the years; what deals have worked, what's fallen apart, and what she thinks needs to happen for farmers to actually get a win.
We'll also hear from farmers who are navigating this themselves, talk through the current state of ecosystem services markets, and make sure everyone knows about the NRCS funding opportunities that are on the table right now.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
🌱 NRCS Cost Share
While we continue working to build market opportunities for regenerative crops, NRCS cost share programs are one of the best financial tools available to you right now. If you haven't explored EQIP, CSP, or the Regen Pilot Program, now is the time. These programs can provide real financial support for the practices you're already doing or want to implement.
We can help you navigate the application process and put together the strongest possible submission. Reach out to get started.
✅ SCI Farmers: Schedule your end-of-year call
Once harvest is wrapped up, please schedule a time with our team to record your farm activities for this year.
We need your information up to date to keep your acres in the bank and continue building the case for market opportunities.
EVENTS
Farmer-to-Farmer Soil Health Workshop
October 22, 2026, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Stoneville, Mississippi
Real talk about "Regenerative Farming" in Delta row crop country. Soil health practices can have real benefits - cutting diesel, pesticides and fertilizer rates while maintaining solid yields. In these touch economic times this is a recipe for success.
Anyone connected to agriculture who wants to help farmers is also welcome to attend.
REGENERATE Conference
October 28-30, 2026
Santa Fe, New Mexico
The REGENERATE Conference is a leading regenerative agriculture conference bringing together ranchers, farmers, scientists, land stewards, and thought leaders to explore solutions for resilient working lands.
Hosted by Quivira Coalition, Holistic Management International, and the American Grassfed Association, the conference features workshops, roundtables, and community gatherings focused on soil health, regenerative ranching, conservation, and sustainable food systems. We hope to share knowledge, build community, and create a culture of resilience and regeneration.
RESOURCES
Row Crops to Prairies & Trees Program | Opportunity to Implement Biodiversity Action Items
🌾 Iowa growers
Practical Farmers of Iowa offers Iowa farmers an incentive to establish native prairie or trees on a field currently growing corn or soybeans.
The program offers $2,000 per acre total over the five-year agreement period, or $1,000 per acre if stacking with another publicly funded cost-share program. Establishment must be completed by December 31 for 2026 enrollment. Native prairie seed mix must have a minimum of 20 species, with at least 10 forb species.
Apply by September 30, 2026.
Sustainable Herbs Initiative Learning Lab | Virtual Sessions
Dates: Sept 29, Oct 6, Oct 13, Oct 20.
Time: 11am to 1pm ET
Sustainable Herbs Initiative (SHI) is offering a new Learning Lab (four virtual sessions) to build the systems awareness and the practical skills needed to build a more transparent and ethical herbal products industry that brings wellness to everyone from source to shelf.
What You'll Leave With:
Insight into sourcing, procurement, and supplier relationships, drawn from presentations by SHI members and guests. These insights are useful for every role in herb companies committed to sustainable and ethical sourcing, from purchasing to finance to marketing.
A grounding in systems thinking, so you can navigate complexity with more confidence.
Relationships with a community of peers for ongoing collaboration.
Access to case studies and tools from past SHI initiatives, adaptable to your own company.