A requirement to receive funding through this and other federally-funded programs is to obtain a Farm Number.

Here is the process summarized in four steps: External link PDF

The paperwork that you’ll need, at minimum, is:

• Proof of identity (driver’s license, social security card, IRS EIN number) 
• Proof of ownership (copy of recorded deed) 
• Lease documentation  
• Entity Identification Status (articles of incorporation, trust and estate documents, partnership agreement) 

You will need to fill out several forms and be sure to consult with the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) representative for assistance in filling out each of the needed forms.  

You will need to fill out additional forms to certify conservation compliance.  Usually, the best way to connect with the FSA is through a USDA Service Center. 

Upon completing this process, you will have access to additional programs to support ranchers and farmers, such as Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program. Note that you are not able to receive funding for the same conservation practice on the same field from multiple federal sources.

NRCS practices are evidence-based standards for accomplishing management interventions aimed at addressing particular resource concerns and improving agricultural function. 

Here is a video series highlighting some of the practices and how ranchers and farmers have integrated them into their operations.” to “Here is a video series that describes several NRCS practices and how ranchers and farmers have integrated them into their operations. Some of these are approved in this grant, see more below.

The Soil to Supper project can leverage approved practices, including:

Produce biochar and compost 

• Composting Facility (No.) (317)
• Woody Residue Treatment (Ac.) (384)
• Biochar production (E384A)
• Forest Stand Improvement (Ac.) (666)

Apply biochar and compost on degraded rangeland to enhance ecological function, carbon sequestration, and forage production

• Soil Carbon Amendment (Ac.) (336)

Empower producers to finish livestock on grass

• Prescribed Grazing (Ac.) (528)

Biochar

Composting 

Aerated Static Pile and Worm composting

Our collaborators at Colorado State University compiled many resources to introduce planning for and implementing grazing management. Click here to visit the CSU website for additional resources. 

Our collaborators at National Center for Appropriate Technology have also described steps in grazing planning: https://attra.ncat.org/publication/attra-grazing-planning-manual-and-workbook/

Our partners at Southwest Grassfed Livestock Alliance have many courses on financial basics, processing, operations, and butchery, sales and marketing through their membership portal.

https://grassfedlivestock.org/courses/

Our partners at Good Meat Project have additional marketing resources for producers to utilize.

https://goodmeatproject.org/

The Intertribal Agriculture Council produced a webinar series about Meat to Market: