Iowa tribe of kansas and nebraska
The Center of Excellence for Regenerative Native Agriculture
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:
- Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska establishes regenerative agriculture education center: https://tribalbusinessnews.com/sections/food-agriculture/14161-iowa-tribe-of-kansas-and-nebraska-establishes-regenerative-agriculture-education-center
- Expanding Commodity Markets and Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge and Values into Climate Smart Agriculture: https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2023/01/24/expanding-commodity-markets-and-incorporating-indigenous-knowledge-and-values
- What does regenerative agriculture on a reservation look like?: https://www.greenbiz.com/article/what-does-regenerative-agriculture-reservation-look
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:
- Providing technical assistance to farmers
- Developing and implementing new climate-smart practices
- Conducting research on the benefits of climate-smart agriculture
- Creating market opportunities for climate-smart commodities
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:
- It can help farmers and ranchers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
- It can improve soil health, water quality, and biodiversity.
- It can create new market opportunities for climate-smart commodities.
- It can help to build resilience to climate change.
- It can improve the economic viability of agriculture.
The PCSC program is a valuable tool for addressing the challenges of climate change and ensuring a sustainable future for agriculture.
For more information please visit: https://www.usda.gov/climate-solutions/climate-smart-commodities
Enrollment
To find out more information about CERNA and how your farm can join our center please complete the enrollment form below:
