We recognize that many of the farming practices currently practiced as regenerative and scientifically cutting-edge are deeply rooted in traditional methods across cultures, classes, and historical time frames. We proudly honor the originators of those practices and the ecological expertise with which they were developed and implemented.

While we acknowledge the troubled history of agriculture in the United States of America, we also recognize its powerful potential as a solution, not only to ensure food and nutrient security through production of more food, fiber and energy, but also as a provider of vital environmental services such as equitable access to clean air, water, habitat and biodiversity, and a catalyst for changing how we humans interact with one another and the environment. 

In order to be effective, regenerative agriculture shouldn’t only protect and preserve the health of the soil and the environment, it should also act as a tool to deliberately undo and dismantle past and present systems and institutions, which limit our collective potential, and disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), and other historically marginalized groups. In order to succeed, the Million Acre Challenge will deliberately create, promote and deploy tools and resources which ensure equity and provide a level playing field for success. We believe that our society has the potential to shift the conversation and energy towards sharing knowledge, creating  abundance, resilience, increased capacity, strength and unity through diversity.    

We therefore commit to:

• Listening to BIPOC farmers to learn how best to serve as partners and allies in our collective struggle for equity and justice.
• Intentionally seeking BIPOC representation both in individual and organizational membership within our collaborative.
• Amplifying the voices of BIPOC speakers by elevating BIPOC speakers into “main stage” events to tell their regenerative agriculture practice stories themselves.
• Creating safe spaces for Million Acre Challenge BIPOC farmers to share resources, ideas, and information.
• Collaborating with our member organizations to build upon, reinforce, and amplify the equity and diversity efforts of our partners.
• Providing opportunities for traditionally underserved producers to participate in our financial, policy, and technical assistance projects and engagements.
• Using our platform to speak out and stand firmly against systems and institutions that negatively affect BIPOC farmers.

Read more about our progress in our 2020 Annual Report.

We welcome feedback on this or any other aspect of our project. Contact us.

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.