MAXATAWNY TWP., Pa. — There are many farmers across the U.S. using responsible practices, Dan Kemper said, but they’re often choosing the more challenging path.
“When you kind of sacrifice production for a deeper moral goal of maybe not poisoning the Earth or not destroying the Earth, we have to take that labor on ourselves as the farmers,” said Kemper, a master trainer at Rodale Institute. “The work doesn't magically go away. We select techniques that are better for the Earth, but possibly harder for us as a farmer.
“So, if there are farmers out there doing that, then let's get paid for it. There's no reason not to if you're already doing it — you're already taking on that responsibility to help the Earth, help the people and it's going to put weight on you and your business. Then let us help.”
Rodale, along with Davines North America, a sustainable beauty brand, have teamed up to launch “The Good Farmer Award U.S.” Announced in late January, the competition seeks farmers with less than 10 years of experience who exemplify sustainable farming practices while contributing to community and environmental health.
The winner, to be announced on Earth Day, will receive a $10,000 prize towards equipment or initiatives and an all-expenses-paid trip to the European Regenerative Organic Center, or EROC, in Parma, Italy, valued at $5,000.
Applications are open now, with a March 22 deadline.
"... Regenerative organic agriculture will not only produce healthier food for healthier people, but it can also accelerate carbon sequestration and improve environmental conditions in regions around the world."Rodale Institute CEO Jeff Tkach
“We’ve been leading the conversation on the ties between agriculture, climate and soil health for more than seven decades and understand the challenges farmers are facing,” said Rodale Institute CEO Jeff Tkach, in a news release.
“We know from the research being conducted at Rodale Institute that regenerative organic agriculture will not only produce healthier food for healthier people, but it can also accelerate carbon sequestration and improve environmental conditions in regions around the world.”
Climate resilience, environmental stewardship
While this is the first year for the U.S. version of the award, the competition has already seen winners from the Good Farmer Award in Italy.
Administered through the Davines Group and Italy’s Foundation for Sustainable Development, it was the country’s first initiative to reward farmers who had launched projects inspired by regenerative organic farming and agroecology, according to Davines’ website.
“Regenerative organic agriculture is key to this new approach to sustainability — where it’s no longer enough to simply reduce our negative impact on the environment,” said Davide Bollati, chairman of the Davines Group. “We must go further by actively restoring the planet’s resources.
“We began this journey with Rodale Institute and the European Regenerative Organic Center (EROC), and for the past two years, we’ve been providing training and conducting research on regenerative organic farming. This award is the natural progression of that work. We are focusing on young farmers because we believe they are already driving this paradigm shift and have the potential to lead the future of sustainable agriculture.”
Similarly, the Good Farmer Award U.S. is focused on farmers who demonstrate a commitment to practices that enhance biodiversity, increase climate resilience and foster environmental stewardship.
For the U.S. version, officials are targeting farmers with 10 years or less experience. These farmers are classified as beginner farmers by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“They're kind of the crucial part to making sure that agriculture continues, and that we don't lose farms,” said Kemper, who runs Rodale’s farmer training program, or RIFT. “So just the basis of it is that we want to promote new farmers to step into the roles, because we have retiring farmers that some of them don't have a successor, or maybe they're thinking about filling the land.
“We, of course, want to keep the land in agriculture and organic or regenerative organic agriculture. So the basis for targeting younger farmers is just that — to keep the industry going.”
The U.S. needs farmers, especially younger farmers.
The average age of farm producers increased from 56.3 to 57.5 years from 2012 to 2017, according to the Department of Agriculture’s most recent census.
“As legacy producers retire, our nation needs the next generation of producers to take on the important business of providing food, feed, fuel and fiber for a growing population,” federal officials said.
‘Doing the right thing’
As part of the application process, farmers are asked to share their efforts in regenerative techniques, such as:
- Environmental Impact: Projects that support sustainable farming practices, restore ecosystems, or reduce environmental footprints.
- Community Engagement: Initiatives that strengthen local economies and build community resilience through direct-to-consumer models, CSAs, or local partnerships.
- Equipment & Infrastructure: Investments in tools and technology that promote farming efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability.
And farms don’t have to be certified organic to participate.
“We want to promote individuals or entities that are going to be environmentally responsible and they really exemplify the image of regenerative, organic agriculture, biodiversity, long-term resilience and garner community engagement and advanced, sustainable and equitable systems,” Kemper said.
“With the people that can apply, they don't need to be certified organic, and they don't need to be certified regenerative organic, but we do want to see those practices being implemented. That's kind of the whole point here.”
There can be several reasons why a farm isn’t certified, including financial reasons — and that shouldn’t be a barrier, he said.
“We don't want to demonize anyone and everybody's always welcome to sit at our table and talk,” he said. “We really wanted to find the people that are just doing the actual practices that are going to be helping the planet and helping people.
“We don't want to get caught up in a world of red tape, so to say. We want to have everyone be able to access this, because if they're doing the right thing, then they're doing the right thing.”
Applicants must submit detailed proposals outlining how they plan to use the prize money, along with supporting documentation, like a personal statement, photos of their farm and letters of recommendation.
“You just have to talk to us about what you're doing and list out your practices and what you're going to use the money for, and then that's basically it," Kemper said.
“It's not like a really big, complicated process — just do it now. The season hasn't necessarily started just yet. We're going to start up the greenhouses really soon, but there's still time, so this would be a great opportunity to look for more money for your operation before the season starts. So, I would say, jump on it quick.”
Besides the first-place prizes, second and third-place winners will be granted access to Rodale Institute Education Resources, including online courses and workshops.
For more information and award guidelines, go to Rodale’s website.
