Soil to Supper

Strengthening Southwest Livestock Value Chains for Climate Resilience
Visit our new webpage!
?

Are you a rangeland producer who wants to make your land more productive?

Are you interested in compost and biochar but don’t have the capacity to research how to create and apply it?

Do you want to build your business and marketing strategy for your supply of local, regenerative meat and other commodities?

Quivira Coalition’s Soil to Supper Project will support producers to get more meat, hides, fiber, and other livestock products into regional supply chains while reducing waste, increasing soil health, and building climate resilience.

This project is funded through the USDA’s Partnership for Climate Smart Commodities program and has partnered with Southwest Grassfed Livestock Alliance (SWGLA), Good Meat Project, and Reunity Resources.

Learn more about the project at our annual summit, where we will convene producers, researchers, agencies, and others in the supply chain to continue building the network to support producers like you. Keep an eye on our events page for workshops in your area.

 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PRODUCERS?

We have funds to support 50 producers (and will prioritize traditionally underserved producers) to transform agricultural and wood waste, finish livestock on grass (to boost income), and help enhance biodiversity and potential carbon sequestration on your land.

Through this partnership, the producers will receive financial assistance, receive technical support from regional experts, and become part of a network of people supporting this important work.

  • Compost and/or biochar production: We will help producers transform manure, woody waste, green waste, and other organic amendments into valuable compost and biochar that can be used to improve soil and forage.
  • Pasture plans: Grazing management experts will help producers create prescribed grazing plans that optimize soil health and forage production for grass-finishing.
  • Compost and/or biochar amendment: We will support amendment of rangelands with compost or biochar aligned with the pasture plans.
  • Business planning: Producers will receive business-focused planning support  and other resources to help sell directly to consumers in regional markets (i.e. how to optimize carcass use).
  • Marketing: Producers will receive support in marketing grass-finished livestock products through marketing toolkits and will have access to professionals during office hours. Meat producers will additionally benefit from a regional trade campaign that will raise consumer awareness about soil health and benefits of climate-smart products.
  •  In-field workshops: Producers will network with neighbors and experts in the topics above to share knowledge.

Requirements for Participation

Producers must meet the criteria listed below to be eligible:

  • Have Farm Service Agency (FSA) record established (i.e. farm, tract, and field number documented with FSA).
    If you do not have established farm records but meet all the other criteria and identify as a USDA-defined Socially Disadvantaged Producer, we can support you to establish records with the Farm Service Agency.
  • Certify highly erodible land conservation (HEL) and wetland conservation (WC) compliance
  • Certify that they are not a foreign person or entity
  • Have control of the land for the term of the project
  • Have meat or other livestock product ready to sell into a market within one year of acceptance in the program
  • Be willing to add compost and/or biochar to up to 10 acres of unirrigated rangeland 
  • Be willing to host a workshop (on-ranch or virtual options available) to share aspects of this project with others in the community
  • The operation is within the yellow boundaries of the map below

Priority is given to USDA-defined Historically Underserved Producers and additional priority is given to individuals who self-identify with multiple categories of socially disadvantaged ranchers.

Priority is also given to people with strong community involvement (i.e. if  multiple adjacent producers apply together). 

Want to get involved?

Take the next step and click the button below to fill out the application form. 

If you meet the criteria, the Soil to Supper team will schedule a meeting with you to discuss your operation and goals, learn more about the project, and have an opportunity to ask questions.  Our team will then assess each applicant using a rubric to select participants. Our team will process applications several times a year, so please submit your application by June 1 (Deadline extended to June 15, 2024), October 1, 2024 or February 1, 2025 for best consideration.

Need help filling out the form? Please call 505-820-2544 and ask for someone on the Soil to Supper team.

I'M INTERESTED! Go to the new webpage!