Regenerative Grazing Incentive Payment Program
Program Description
The University of Missouri’s Regenerative Grazing program is part of the Missouri CRCL Project that helps farmers implement conservation-smart agricultural practices through direct payments and education.
The goal of the Regenerative Grazing program is to train more farmers to implement regenerative grazing approaches and improve grazing planning, animal management, ecosystem biodiversity, and soil health monitoring on participants’ operations.
Questions about the Regenerative Grazing Program may be directed to Erin Kiley at erinkiley@missouri.edu.
If you’d like more information on how to enroll, check out our recorded webinar Let’s Talk Enrollment.
Information on the next enrollment period coming soon!
Contract structure and payments
- The Regenerative Grazing Program will offer producers $50 per acre to implement managed grazing with regenerative outcomes: enhanced soil health, improved ecosystem biodiversity, and increased carbon sequestration.
- Participants will develop and submit a grazing management plan for their enrolled fields.
- Participants in this program will have the opportunity to provide a soil health sample for pastures enrolled in the project. The Producers will submit samples to the University of Missouri’s Soil Health Assessment Center and Missouri CRCL Project will provide cost-share. Further details on the soil health sampling process will be provided.
- Each farmer can receive up to $10,000 maximum per practice per enrollment period.
- The lifetime cap has been lifted, any producers interested in re-enrolling in the program should consider how they can further improve their management practice beyond what has been done in previous years.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for any Missouri CRCL Project Inventive payment program producers will be required to meet the following criteria based on the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS)’s requirements.
General eligibility
- Establish Farm Records with the Farm Service Agency (have farm, tract, and fields numbers in place)
- Complete an AD-2047 (Customer Data Worksheet to facilitate the collection of customer data for Business Partner Record)
- Certify HELC and WC compliance via Form AD-1026, Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification
- Confirm that they are a current citizen of the U.S. or a lawful alien possessing a valid I-551 (Form I-551 is the formal designation of a permanent resident card, also known as a Green Card)
- Have full operational control of the field they wish (the capacity to independently implement the desired practices and engage in farming activities)
- Confirm that they will supply additional farm-level information required by USDA (see Participant Expectations)
- Confirm and acknowledge that Missouri CRCL Project incentive payments are funded and processed by the University of Missouri are subject to audit and inspection by the USDA Office of Inspector General and other federal assistance program oversight entities
Regenerative Grazing eligibility
- Propose regenerative grazing management on a specified number of acres. Note that specific practices must align with NRCS practice standards.
- Certify they have not received an NRCS program or other USDA cost-share or incentive payments for the same specific project or practice on the same specific acres.
- Have access to farmland located in Missouri on which to practice regenerative grazing for the enrolling year.
- Must have either;
- One year of livestock management AND complete/have completed the Missouri Grazing School within the last 10 years. OR
- Must have completed a training workshop or program that encompasses managed grazing (e.g., Missouri Grazing School offered through University of Missouri Extension).
- Note: successful applicants are also strongly encouraged to attend the Advanced Grazing School to be offered through the University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture, or to attend similar educational offerings on regenerative grazing management from other sources.
What is the application and award process?
Applications for the Regenerative Grazing Program will open from November 3, 2025 to February 17, 2026. All applicants will use the web-based Missouri CRCL Project Application to create an account and apply for the program. The application is powered by FarmRaise, a digital platform that connects farmers to funding opportunities and financial tracking services. Please note that this is free for CRCL project applicants and a paid membership is NOT required.
The application and award process is:
1. Application
All applicants will use the Missouri CRCL application to create an account and submit an initial application for this incentive payment program. For the first year of this program, we will accept applications from November 3, 2025 to February 17, 2026.
2. Review and follow up
Applicants that meet the eligibility requirements will have their application reviewed by the program team. If applicants are eligible, they will be contacted by staff to the registered email address or may be invited for a follow-up call by a team member to complete the application process.
3. Implementation
Develop grazing management plan
Participants will work with technical service providers to develop and implement Grazing Management Plans. These plans will incorporate regenerative management practices following guidance from NRCS practice standards.
Implement grazing management plan
Once Grazing Management Plans are approved, the producer will implement the plan.
4. Monitoring, reporting, and verification
Producers will be required to track their progress throughout the season on their Grazing Charts and resubmit their planned vs. actual grazing rotations at the end of the season.
Printable Grazing Chart and Startup Guide
Download and print the PDFs below for verification purposes. Enrolled producers can reach out to Erin Kiley for an Excel version of the grazing chart.
5. Receive payment
After approval of their application and verification of practice implementation, participants will receive a flat rate of $50 per enrolled acre, with a maximum annual amount of $10,000.