Regenerative agriculture is an active approach to land management driven by improving soil health. Rather than a rigid set of rules, it embraces a blend of sustainable farming methods tailored to each farmer's needs.
By adopting regenerative agricultural practices, farmers and landowners can be profitable while restoring healthy soils and safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.
Aligned with the Governor’s MI Healthy Climate Plan, MDARD's Fiscal Year 24 budget provided $6 million to bolster soil health and regenerative agriculture initiatives. This funding supports practices like soil cover maintenance, crop diversity, and livestock integration to mitigate climate impacts.
Additionally, $7 million is allocated to promote climate-smart agricultural methods and innovative technologies, enhancing soil and plant health, carbon sequestration, water efficiency, and conservation efforts through research grants to Michigan State University.
MDARD is investing in the NextGen Crop Insurance pilot, an initiative designed to give farmers greater choice and flexibility in their crop insurance coverage when they implement regenerative practices that improve soil health.
MDARD provides funding to Conservations Districts across the state to expand and enhance education and outreach events that promote regenerative agriculture practices and farmer-to-farmer networks. The grants help accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture across Michigan by:
The Regenerative Farmer Network Grant (RFNG) provides annual funding from MDARD to help farmers across Michigan build peer-to-peer networks focused on regenerative agriculture.
By fostering farmer-led collaboration, RFNG accelerates the adoption of regenerative practices through shared knowledge, mutual support, and hands-on experience. Regenerative farmer networks play a vital role in scaling sustainable agriculture across the state, empowering farmers to lead, innovate, and support one another in building healthier soils, stronger communities, and a more resilient food system.
The Regenerative Agriculture Veteran Education Program operates a farm within the 600-acre Veterans of Foreign Wars National Home (VFWNH) in Eaton Rapids, paving the way for veterans to engage in regenerative and climate-smart agriculture. This innovative program is supported by MDARD and the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund.
The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks. Getting MAEAP verified shows peers and neighbors the high level of commitment to agricultural stewardship and protecting the environment. MAEAP has four systems that address different aspects of the farm: Farmstead, Cropping, Livestock and the newly developed Forest, Wetlands and Habitat System. Each looks at different practices depending on site-specific management and production practices and associated risks.
