About
We work with farmers to strengthen farm profitability and resilience through healthy soils. Our approach is grounded in science, informed by farmer experience, and focused on practical solutions that work on real farms.
We work with farmers to strengthen farm profitability and resilience through healthy soils. Our approach is grounded in science, informed by farmer experience, and focused on practical solutions that work on real farms.
Our work includes:
- Farmer‑centered education grounded in soil health science and on‑farm experience
- Farm‑based research that tests and refines practices under real‑world conditions
- Technical assistance and outreach tailored to individual farm goals and challenges
- Farmer networking and peer learning, including field days, demonstrations, and advanced farmer networks that support curiosity, problem‑solving, and shared learning
- Sustainable agriculture policy and advocacy, in collaboration with partners across agriculture and conservation
By connecting farmers with each other, trusted information, and the right tools, we help farms improve soil health, protect water quality, and adapt to climate stress while strengthening long‑term economic viability. We work across Maryland and the Chesapeake region to share lessons learned and build momentum for soil health at scale.
Our Mission
The Million Acre Challenge helps Maryland farmers build soil health, increase farm profitability, and improve water quality – while making farms resilient and active in the face of climate change. Our farmer-focused collaborative uses soil health science, economics, education, and incentives to achieve our mission. Get in Touch.
Our Vision
Our vision is enhanced soil and ecosystem health and increased farm profitability on at least one million agricultural acres in Maryland, with significant progress and partnerships in the Chesapeake region, by 2030.
Partners
How we work
Honoring Knowledge and History
We recognize that many practices now described as regenerative have deep roots in traditional agricultural knowledge across cultures and generations. We honor the originators of these practices and the ecological expertise with which they were developed. We also acknowledge the troubled history of agriculture in the United States, alongside its powerful potential to be part of the solution—supporting food and fiber production while also providing environmental benefits such as cleaner air and water, healthier ecosystems, and biodiversity.
Our Commitment to Equity
We believe regenerative agriculture must not only protect soil and ecosystems, but also help address inequities that have shaped who has access to land, resources, opportunity, and decision‑making. Equity is essential to long‑term resilience and success. [Link to Origins of Regenerative Ag will go in this section somewhere]
We commit to:
- Listening to farmers within communities of color and other historically marginalized groups, and serving as partners and allies
- Seeking equitable representation across our collaborative and partner organizations
- Amplifying the voices of Indigenous, Tribal, Black, Latinx, Asian, immigrant, and other historically marginalized producers
- Creating inclusive, safe spaces for farmers to share ideas, resources, and experiences
- Expanding opportunities for underserved producers within our financial, policy, and technical assistance efforts
- Using our platform to speak out against systems that harm historically marginalized farmers