Michigan allocates $500k towards regenerative agriculture efforts

Source: MDARD

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) recently announced nearly $500,000 of grant funding to build twelve regenerative farmer networks that will promote sustainable farming throughout the state.

Regenerative apple orchards in Michigan are reshaping the state’s fruit industry by shifting from high‑input, chemical‑dependent systems to ecological, soil‑first farming. Michigan ranks third in U.S. apple production, behind Washington and New York. Image credit - Mark Stebnicki

“Regenerative agriculture gives Michigan farmers practical, scalable tools to manage rising input costs while building healthier soils, improving resiliency and strengthening long-term profitability,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “By investing in farmer-led networks, we’re creating opportunities for producers to learn from one another, test new approaches and more quickly adopt practices that benefit Michigan farms. These peer connections will help accelerate real, on-the-ground results for both farm operations and the environment.”

These grants will support the creation of 12 new farmer networks across Michigan:

Mid-Michigan

Ionia Resilient Farmer Network: $45,000

Regenerative Ecology & Livestock Integration Collective: $45,000

Michigan Forever Green Field Crops: $40,397.10

Northern Michigan

NEMI Regenerative Ag Network: $29,750

Michigan RegenVine Network $45,000

Southeast Michigan

Grown in Detroit: Regenerative Network: $42,500

Southern Michigan Small Grains Pilot Network: $43,965

Washtenaw County Agroecology Network: $44,238.60

Southwest Michigan

West Michigan Small Scale Regenerative Farmer Network: $45,000

West Michigan

Regenerative Tree Fruit Network: $31,500

Regenerative Pear Growers Network: $42,500

Upper Peninsula

From The Ground League of Growers: $42,500

These farmer-led networks have committed to:

• Promoting the adoption of core regenerative principles,

• Testing new and innovative regenerative practices, and

• Sharing successes and challenges and providing mentorship.

“What energizes us most is bringing together a community of farmers who share a passion for regenerative agriculture,” said Joe Hetrick, a farmer in the Regenerative Ecology & Livestock Integration Collective. “It’s a chance to trade ideas, support each other and invite both consumers and fellow producers to see firsthand how regenerative practices create healthier land, healthier food and resilient farms.”

MDARD's Regenerative Agriculture Program is one of the first in the nation to be embedded within a state agriculture agency. Since its creation in 2024, the program has advanced a regenerative approach to agriculture that fosters prosperity, enhances farm ecosystems, improves community health and supports resilient agricultural systems throughout the Great Lakes region. 

In addition to the Regenerative Farmer Network Grants, the program has: 

• Launched a free soil health assessment initiative to help farmers identify management practices to boost productivity.

• Established a training farm to train veterans in partnership with the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids.

• Awarded funding to conservation districts across the state to expand and enhance education and outreach events that promote regenerative agriculture practices and farmer-to-farmer networks. 

Regenerative agriculture is an active approach to land management that promotes long-term farm sustainability and food security by minimizing soil disturbance, maximizing plant diversity and integrating livestock into farming operations to improve nutrient cycling and profitability. Regenerative practices can complement or improve conventional agriculture systems, helping farms become more resilient, productive and profitable over the long term.

For more information about efforts to promote sustainable farming, visit MDARD's regenerative agriculture web page.