Iowa tribe of kansas and nebraska

The Center of Excellence for Regenerative Native Agriculture

The Center of Excellence for Regenerative Native Agriculture (CERNA) is a project funded by the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities grant program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The project is being implemented by the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska and is designed to help Native American farmers and Tribally owned farming enterprises transition to regenerative agriculture practices.

CERNA will offer two cohorts a year for Native and non-Native students, who will participate in intensive two-week courses on regenerative agriculture techniques. The program will also provide financial support, such as direct payments and market research, for farmers who adopt regenerative practices.

The USDA has awarded CERNA a grant of $5 million over a five-year period. The project is expected to benefit Native American farmers and ranchers throughout the United States in and around all tribal nations.

Our Goals:

Provide classroom and in-field workshops about indigenous agricultural knowledge and techniques,
Support socially disadvantaged farmers, including tribally owned farms and native American farmers, by sharing knowledge on regenerative agriculture and how to transition from conventional agricultural practices,
Promote and provide incentives for climate-smart practices that improve soil, water, microbiology, and whole ecosystem health, and
Expand climate-smart commodity markets by connecting farmers with industry leading food companies and premium-price commodity contracts.

What is Regenerative agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture is a holistic approach to farming that seeks to improve soil health, water quality, and biodiversity. It is based on the principles of ecology and seeks to mimic the natural processes that have sustained the land for centuries.

Regenerative agriculture practices include:

Cover cropping
No-till farming
Mulching and improved ground cover
Water conservation
Reduced tillage
Livestock integration and rotational grazing
Reduction of synthetic fertilizers
Conservation prescribed burns

Financial Support

CERNA will provide financial support to farmers who adopt regenerative agriculture practices. This support may include:

Direct payments for implementing climate-smart / regenerative agricultural practices
Technical assistance and ongoing farm management support
Educational workshops, and
Regenerative certifications by Regenified for certified and eligible farms and commodities.

In The News:

What is the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities program?

The Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities (PCSC) program is a $3.1 billion initiative of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that aims to help farmers and ranchers adopt climate-smart practices. The program provides funding to partnerships of producers, businesses, and other stakeholders to develop and implement projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil health, water quality, and biodiversity.

The PCSC program is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the needs of different regions and commodities. Projects can be funded for up to five years and can include a variety of activities, such as:

The PCSC program is a significant investment in the future of agriculture. It has the potential to help farmers and ranchers reduce their environmental impact while also improving their bottom line.

Here are some of the benefits of the PCSC program: