Depending on where you are in the world, you might be seeing all the signs that spring is settling in. There’s a lot going on at AGW too. Please read on for the latest updates from the AGW program.

Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities grant announcement
We are thrilled to share that along with our project partners, Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI USA) and Soil Health Institute (SHI), we have been awarded a grant with an approximate funding ceiling of $4,000,000 from the second funding pool of the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. AGW will lead the project, ‘Increasing Accessibility to Regenerative Farming Practices and Markets for Small and/or Underserved Producers,’ to assist small and underserved producers with climate-smart regenerative farm planning and emissions reduction plan design, and incentivize participation, and climate-smart practice implementation. RAFI-USA and SHI will work alongside AGW to assist farmers, ranchers, and landowners, with RAFI-USA providing technical support in regenerative plan development and SHI providing practical and scientific expertise in soil health analysis and measurement. Read the full announcement and stay tuned if you’re interested in participating!

Job Opening: Climate Smart Agriculture Technical Assistance Provider, RAFI-USA
RAFI-USA is looking for a full-time Climate Smart Agriculture Technical Assistance Provider to help farmers of color implement climate-smart, regenerative practices on their farms. Learn more and consider applying for RAFI-USA’s Climate Smart Agriculture Technical Assistance Provider.

From Natural Products Expo West: Sustainability Trends and Research
In March, AGW staff attended Expo West and listened in on a keynote about the latest industry research on trends in natural and organic, including consumer data regarding sustainability. From SPINS, New Hope Network and Whipstitch, we learned the following:

• 66% of consumers and 80% of young adults (18-34) are willing to pay more for sustainable products compared to less sustainable competitors
• 78% say despite their desire to support companies that align with their values, they don’t know how to identify environmentally friendly companies
• 1 of 2 surveyed asserted that clear language on products is important
• 46% say third-party or independent source certification is important
• 3 of 4 of sustainable shoppers use labels or third-party certifications to confirm a company or product’s sustainable credentials

If you’re not communicating your well-earned AGW-certification on pack—or you’ve been thinking about getting certified but haven’t gotten started yet, now is the time! If you have questions for us, please be in touch.

AGW’s Technical Support, at Your Fingertips
Pasture-based farming can be challenging. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution, and best practices for one part of the country can be worst practices for another. If you have questions about something you are encountering on your farm, don’t forget these resources offered by the AGW program. They include Technical Advice Fact Sheets on a range of issues, Farm Health Online, Sustainable Farming Magazine and one-on-one support from our technical team.

In the Press

• Sun Community News featured North Country Creamery in Keeseville, NY in an article about their participation in an agroforestry project, coordinated by Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) as part of a USDA Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities grant.

• Mercury News featured Toluma Farms in Petaluma, CA in “It’s spring, time to visit a Marin Creamery and hold baby lambs”

• Yahoo picked up a press release regarding data from Polaris Market Research on the anticipated growth of the global regenerative meat market and featured The Slow Farming Company in the UK

• Agri-View features Morning Breeze Farm in Hortonville, WI in “Success: Farmers Use Diverse Ideas”

• Monroe County Reporter featured Rocking Chair Ranch in Forsyth, GA in their article covering the farm’s recognition as a Flavor of Georgia finalist for Smoked Biltong

• Green Queen features Certified Regenerative by AGW in “The era of certified regenerative agriculture is underway”

• Good Day Kansas featured Graze the Prairie in Latham, KS in “Outdoor Life – Graze the Prairie”

• Wine Institute featured Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles, CA as recipient of the Environment Award in “Winners Announced for Ninth-Annual California Green Medal Sustainable Wine Growing Leadership Awards”

You can help us reach more farmers by sharing our weekly farmer updates. Just pass this linkalong and thanks for helping us get the word out about farmer resources and AGW-certified businesses.