Regenerative beef and bison ranchers can get a lift from the new Growing GRASS program.  The financial benefits begin with a $3,000 direct payment for completing an eligibility survey.

Beyond that initial step, the program can help cover the costs of soil sampling and on-farm research, audits and certifications, networking and training, and storytelling and marketing.

“GRASS” stands for “Generalized Regenerative Agriculture Sourcing Specification.”  In plain terms, that means that the program allows participating producers to choose from a variety of existing sustainability certification systems to qualify – including the American Grassfed Association, Audubon Conservation Ranching, A Greener World Regenerative, and Regenerative Organic Certified.

The program aims to give small-scale producers a leg up into the value-added markets that such labels can unlock.  At the same time, it’s offering a helping hand to smaller processing plants, by enabling them to sell hides, bones, and other products from sustainably-raised cattle and bison at a similar markup, for making products like leather, pet food, and cosmetics.

Funding for the Growing GRASS program comes from USDA’s “Advancing Markets for Producers” (AMP) project, which – as we’ve covered previously – is also bankrolling other Oklahoma conservation programs.

To qualify for Growing GRASS, ranchers must be using prescribed grazing practices (as defined by USDA NRCS Conservation Practice 528), and have their acreage enrolled with the USDA Farm Service Administration (FSA).  They most NOT be participating in any other USDA AMP program for beef or bison, or be operating a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO).

Applications are due by December 31.

For more information, or to enroll, visit the Growing GRASS website, or email the program.