AFT Launches Beef Producer Economic Resilience Initiative
USDA Project Will Help Regional Beef Producers Become Profitable Through Sustainable Grazing Systems
(Washington, DC) AFT’s Beef Grazing Network is launching a redesigned Beef Producer Economic Resilience Initiative, now part of USDA’s Advancing Markets for Producers program. The $42-million project, with $30 million provided by NRCS, will support 700 beef producers across the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Texas in their transition to profitable, resilient operations through sustainable grazing systems, reduced inputs and stronger market access. The network will build market power through producer-led mentorship, peer networking and beef marketing groups.
The initiative will invest $19.5 million in producers to adopt adaptive grazing, improve soil health, reduce risk and increase returns, adding these benefits to AFT’s growing mentor-network-focused livestock programming across the country. It will equip producers with the tools and training to verify their practices, and with the relationships that build the network’s capacity to collaborate on accessing premium pricing for sustainably grazed beef.
“Sustainable grazing systems can create value for producers, communities, and the land,” said Dr. Bianca Moebius-Clune, AFT National Climate and Soil Health Director. “Through the Beef Grazing Network we’re bringing producers together to aggregate supply aligned with grazing standards they shape. That creates economic resilience through opportunities for price premiums. It also advances soil health and the many co-benefits of healthy soils. These outcomes build more resilient supply chains and stronger rural economies.”
AFT plans to release the first of several producer grant “Requests for Applications” this summer, to bring in a first pool of experienced beef producers this fall to assess baseline soil health and economic factors, adopt advanced grazing practices, advance beef marketing, and mentor future awardees. The grant pool for next year will be opened for additional basic and advanced implementation grants. Interested farmers, as well as those interested in partnering with the program, can sign up to receive program updates.
“Producers learn best from other producers who’ve already done the work. This network supports experienced grazers as they continue improving their own operations while mentoring other producers, improving forage production and utilization, reducing operating costs, and building a producer network that creates better market opportunities through cooperation and consistency of supply,” said Dr. Richard Watson, AFT’s Senior Soil Health and Grazing Specialist.
The project’s expansion will help produce sustainably grazed beef for all market levels, including the traditional live animal markets, direct sales through local farmers markets, and regional distribution channels and national and global consumer-facing food companies.
Additionally, AFT will facilitate a self-sustaining, producer-led mentorship and marketing network that improves practice adoption and market readiness and captures data that strengthen market access and long-term economic opportunities beyond the project period. AFT estimates producer financial benefits from improved soil health at $60 per acre.
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American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms No Food® message. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 8 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres, and supported thousands of farm families.
