Regenerative Grazing Initiative

GRANT Program Description and Goals

The Cedar Tree Foundation supports the expansion of regenerative grazing practices as a strategy to improve soil health and address the threat of climate change. Regenerative grazing is a valuable tool that can help land managers to increase their soil organic matter and improve overall soil health, thereby achieving multiple environmental benefits while increasing their resilience to floods and droughts.   These environmental benefits include reduced erosion and runoff from farm fields, increased biodiversity and wildlife habitat, and increased carbon sequestration.

By increasing the number of farmers, ranchers and other land managers using regenerative grazing practices, the Cedar Tree Foundation aims to achieve broad recognition by farmers of the value of regenerative grazing for building soil health.  As more acres benefit from regenerative grazing, there will also be more evidence and advocates to support the policy changes needed to incentivize regenerative grazing.

Please click here to learn more about our current grantees under this program.

HOW WE DEFINE REGENERATIVE GRAZING

Regenerative grazing encompasses various grazing management systems, all of which build soil. Regenerative grazing mimics nature: densely stocked herds graze in selected areas for short periods of time and don't return to that same area until proper rest is provided to the vegetation present. Regenerative grazing is a constantly evolving process which requires adaptation and flexibility of the grazier, working with natural processes to enhance ecosystem health. Implementation of this practice provides maximum benefits to the environment, livestock and grazier - and if done well, communities. Regenerative grazing is built on the foundation of Indigenous knowledge and practices, and is continually evolving to incorporate modern technology to reestablish a land management paradigm that promotes health for the whole system.

Grant Program Logistics

The 2022 funding round focused on renewal grants to our Indigenous-led partner organizations with both experience in agriculture and grazing, and a desire to promote grazing methods that build soil health & climate resilience, and align with Traditional Ecological Knowledge. The three grantees supported in this docket are visible here.

For 2024 the Regenerative Grazing Initiative is focused on renewal grants to current grantees. 

The Cedar Tree Foundation only funds registered 501 (c3) non-profit organizations for work in the United States. 

Updated 7/2024