Best Organic Farming and Agriculture Grants in South Dakota

Agricultural producers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forest landowners in South Dakota can receive technical and financial assistance to implement conservation practices on working lands. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service supports sustainable agriculture and agroecology through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, helping improve soil health, water and air quality, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience on eligible farms, ranches, and forestlands.

Agricultural and forest producers in South Dakota can receive more than US $4,000 to enhance conservation practices and sustainable agriculture on working lands. With a mission to strengthen conservation on private and tribal operations, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of South Dakota offers five-year CSP contracts with annual payments for maintaining and improving soil, water, habitat, and climate resilience.

Organizations and producers working to improve specialty crop production, marketing, or sustainability in South Dakota can apply for grants up to US $325,000. Grants from South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources help fund projects in sustainable agriculture, pest management, food safety, and related research that may benefit organic and regenerative farming efforts.

Focused on sustainable agriculture, North Central Region SARE invites South Dakota agriculture professionals partnered with at least three independent farms or ranches to apply for funding up to US $50,000. Projects can include on-farm research, demonstrations, marketing innovations, value-added processing, food security, or building resilient farming systems.

Agricultural educators and nonprofit training providers in South Dakota and other North Central states can seek funding to deliver sustainable agriculture professional development programs. With a mission to strengthen sustainable farming education, North Central Region SARE provides up to US $120,000 for outcome-based, cross-agency training that uses farmers and ranchers as educators and addresses emerging issues in agriculture.

Research institutions, educators, and collaborators working on sustainable agriculture projects in South Dakota and other North Central states can apply for North Central Region SARE’s Research and Education grants, with awards up to US $250,000. Grants fund research with strong outreach on topics like soil health, crop diversification, grazing systems, and other sustainable farming practices.

Farmers and ranchers pursuing on-farm sustainable agriculture and agroecology projects in South Dakota can receive competitive support for research, demonstration, and education. North Central Region SARE offers individual grants and team grants for producers exploring solutions in areas like soil health and insect pest management, with awards up to US $30,000.

South Dakota graduate students working on sustainable agriculture research can access funding through the North Central Region SARE Graduate Student Grant Program. Awards up to US $20,000 support supplies, labor, travel, farm equipment rental, and related project costs for degree-related projects that benefit agriculture in the North Central Region, including organic and agroecological farming.

Our Mission and Vision

The Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation exists to foster innovative sustainability initiatives that make a positive impact on our planet. We want to find solutions to the complex challenges facing our world today.

Our vision is to facilitate positive action toward sustainable and innovative solutions in agricultural and environmental sectors that reduce carbon footprints and minimize risk for our communities.

Grant Programs

Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation administers projects directly funded by donors that help reduce carbon footprints through carbon positive practices and emission offsetting. The foundation holds open application periods for projects in the contiguous United States, Puerto Rico and Canada that focus on reducing environmental risk through regenerative agricultural practices, habitat restoration and using natural energy sources to make our communities more sustainable.

Reducing Carbon Footprints

The foundation supports projects that work to reduce carbon footprints through the following initiatives.

Habitat Reclamation

• Restoration of habitats creates spaces for native flora and fauna and microorganisms to survive. Natural landscapes are integral to functioning ecosystems and increasing biodiversity, not to mention creating habitats for pollinator species like bees and butterflies that we so desperately need for agricultural success.

Regenerative Agriculture

• Regenerative agricultural practices have a far-reaching impact on the industry and our lives. We aim to reduce carbon emissions by fostering projects that innovate row crop sustainability and dairy, beef, pork and poultry operations to create practices that are sustainable for years to come.

Renewable Energy

• We care about carbon positive practices that harness renewable resources like solar, wind and biomass for improved efficiencies and overall reduction in use. Organic matter often sourced from agricultural production, garbage and tree pruning can be converted to energy in various ways, recycling it back into the agricultural operation that created it or fueling our communities.

Soil

• Soil sequestering practices have wide-reaching benefits like restoring and building organic matter in the soil and increasing biodiversity. It boosts water infiltration and retention and reduces erosion. Through practices like no till, applying organic matter like manure and biochar, and planting cover crops, we improve soil health as well as take CO2 out of the atmosphere.

Tree Planting

• Planting trees is a simple act that makes a huge impact in our urban, suburban and rural communities. They provide shade, release oxygen and improve air quality, improve soil quality and biodiversity, all of which contributes to offsetting carbon emissions.  

• Water
• We want to find ways to protect and restore the integrity of our water resources. We aim to fund projects focused on practices that create efficiencies and reduce the agricultural production impact on water quality and benefit our communities by conserving one of our most important natural resources. 

John Harsch Regenerative Agriculture Grant

Funding for projects adopting best regenerative agricultural management practices that impact one or several of these areas:

• Improve water quality
• Reduce soil erosion
• Increase soil health index
• Reduce synthetic fertilizer use
• Increase effective manure use as a fertilizer
• Increase biodiversity
• Reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions

The Generation Regen Challenge, presented by BMO, aims to promote regenerative agriculture in Canada and the U.S. by providing $200,000 to innovative social enterprises and non-profits. This initiative seeks to enhance local farming practices, soil health, animal welfare, and biodiversity, while ensuring food security for underserved communities. By supporting projects that restore ecosystems and sequester carbon, the challenge encourages a sustainable agricultural future. Applications are open to eligible organizations focused on impactful solutions in their communities.

Graduate-level plant science and sustainable agriculture researchers enrolled in U.S. PhD programs can access funding through the Botany in Action Fellowship to support research and outreach. Grants from Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens provide US $6,000 for plant-based scientific projects, which may benefit work connected to organic and agroecological farming in South Dakota or abroad.

Nonprofit organizations in South Dakota working on health, medical research, or hunger relief can receive support for programs, education, prevention, or treatment efforts. Herbert Foundation provides U.S. health and food charities with funding that may benefit sustainable agriculture, agroecology, and agricultural education initiatives connected to nutrition and food access.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups in South Dakota working on sustainable agriculture, farmed animal protection, or food system transformation can apply for Stray Dog Institute’s grants, typically US $2,500 - US $10,000. Funding may be unrestricted or project-based and supports efforts like farmer advocacy, environmental policy, food justice, and related research or outreach.

Nonprofits, individuals, and institutions working on animal welfare advocacy, research, or movement-building, including sustainable agriculture and factory-farming issues, can apply for up to US $200,000 in South Dakota and globally. With a mission to alleviate nonhuman animal suffering, Centre for Effective Altruism provides flexible funding for high-impact, often early-stage projects rather than direct animal care.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) charities, research institutions, and universities working on pollinator health and sustainable agriculture can seek up to US $75,000 for research, education, advocacy, and capacity-building projects, including work in South Dakota. With a mission to promote ecologically responsible agriculture, One Hive Foundation supports initiatives in the U.S. and Canada that advance pollinator conservation and related public policy.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving veterans through sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, or related education can seek up to US $100,000 for new or expanding projects. With a mission to empower women’s collective giving, Impact100 Global Veterans provides large, two-year grants that may benefit South Dakota programs improving veterans’ well-being, recreation, or access to agricultural opportunities.

About the Healthy Soils Program Block Grant

Through the Block Grant model, CDFA's Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS), partners with regional organizations to administer local grant programs that support farmers and ranchers implementing healthy soils practices.

Block Grant Recipients work directly with producers in their region by providing outreach, technical assistance, and support throughout project implementation. These organizations manage the local application process, recommend projects for funding to CDFA, establish agreements with producers who carry out soil-health practices on their operations, and manage funded on-farm projects.

By working through trusted regional partners, the Block Grant model helps ensure funding reaches producers along with locally informed support and technical expertise, thus expanding the adoption of soil-building practices across California.

Nonprofit and public-sector organizations working on sustainable agriculture and ecosystem restoration in South Dakota can apply for grants of US $5,000 - US $25,000. Grants from Biophilia Foundation help U.S. projects focused on regenerative ranching, ecotourism, habitat conservation, and related restorative economies, with particular interest in the arid Southwest and Chesapeake Bay regions.

Graduate students conducting research in drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can apply for the Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship, which awards US $3,000 for actionable, timely water-industry research. Those in South Dakota whose work touches sustainable agriculture or agroecology through water and environmental topics may be especially relevant.

The Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Pre-Applications program, funded by the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, seeks innovative proposals to combat Huanglongbing (HLB) and its associated diseases. This initiative aims to ensure sustainable citrus production in the U.S. through collaborative strategies that leverage existing knowledge. Funded projects will focus on developing actionable solutions for growers to effectively manage and prevent HLB infections, ensuring the health of citrus crops in the near future.

Researchers studying community-led sustainable agriculture and related development issues in Latin America and the Caribbean can receive US $20,000 fellowships for rigorous, field-based projects. Eligible applicants are citizens of IAF countries or the U.S.; South Dakota–based researchers may qualify if their work addresses community-led development in the region.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, or those with a fiscal sponsor, can seek US $5,000 - US $50,000 for general operating support of sustainable agriculture, regenerative farming, and related food system work. Focused on grassroots efforts primarily in the U.S., Clif Family Foundation prioritizes groups with strong community ties, including those serving South Dakota farmers and food systems.

The Regenerative Agriculture Foundation Grant supports organizations that promote regenerative practices, emphasizing the value of people, plants, animals, and the planet. With a focus on BIPOC-led initiatives, the foundation encourages systemic change in agricultural systems through collaborative funding. Grants are available to U.S.-based organizations that align with RAF's vision and engage in transformative efforts. The competitive grantmaking process is by invitation only, ensuring targeted support for impactful projects.

The LFF: Nature-Based Climate Action Grant aims to support initiatives that leverage natural systems to combat climate change. By funding projects focused on tree planting, prairie restoration, and carbon sequestration, the program seeks to engage communities and enhance understanding of climate challenges. Ideal applicants include rural organizations working to create measurable environmental impacts while fostering collaboration and policy change. This grant represents an opportunity for organizations ready to take significant strides in addressing the climate crisis.

The USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council (USADPLC) invites research proposals for pulse crops, focusing on breeding, nutrition, crop management, and product development for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Projects should adopt a transdisciplinary approach to tackle complex challenges, with average awards around $30,000. Researchers are encouraged to leverage industry funding for matching grants. Note that equipment purchases over $10,000 are not eligible. Compliance with specific proposal guidelines is essential.

The Anderson-Rogers Foundation Grant supports U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations focused on environmental protection, animal welfare, climate change mitigation, and social support. Established in 2001, this family foundation prioritizes innovative projects and general operating support for small organizations facing financial constraints. Note that applicants must first submit a letter of inquiry, as the foundation does not fund scholarships or grants to individuals or religious organizations, nor does it support organizations outside the U.S.

The Harry Chapin Foundation grants support 501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S. focused on self-sufficiency. They prioritize grassroots programs in the arts, community education, and environmental sectors, with a budget cap of $750,000. Grants are typically awarded for one year, with renewals requiring a new proposal each year. Organizations using fiscal agents or applying for individuals are not eligible. The foundation is dedicated to improving lives through sustainable initiatives.