Direct Incentives for Conservation Planning, Implementation and Marketing Activities
Grazing and Market Support for Tribal Beef Producers
What Is The Project –
And How Will Native American Producers Benefit?
This project is designed to meet producers where they are. Enrollment and payments happen on a rolling basis, and you’ll earn incentive payments as you complete each step. This program helps cattle producers by offering support in two areas:
Adoption of prescribed grazing practices
Business and marketing opportunities
Where must I raise beef to be eligible to participate?
Montana or Oklahoma
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What types of producers are eligible?
Tribal producers raising a herd of beef cattle as their primary form of business income. Both small-scale and large-scale producers are welcome. Participants must be willing to implement prescribed grazing as part of the project. Participants must not be dual-enrolled in any other NRCS programs for prescribed grazing on the same land.
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What happens if I decide to sign up?
IAC and Farm Journal Foundation will help you enroll. Once you are enrolled, you will receive further guidance on conservation planning and technical assistance. As you successfully complete your conservation planning and prescribed grazing adoption, you will be eligible for direct incentive payments.
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When will the project start, and how long will it last?
The project has started and will end in December 2026.
Benefits for participating beef producers will include:
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Enrollment assistance with IAC
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Guidance and access to conservation planning tools and technical assistance
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Total incentive payments of up to $45,000:
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Prescribed grazing adoption: $100 per acre incentive
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Grazing management, technical assistance and business/marketing incentives of about $20,000
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Ready to apply? Follow these easy steps!
Fill out our short interest survey or reach out to FJF or IAC for more information.
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Two
Step Two
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Step Three
Enrollment process begins.
Program staff will follow up with you to talk more about your operation.
For Further Information:
State IAC Technical Assistance Specialists:
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MONTANA
Zane Not Afraid, Interregional 3 Manager
zane@indianag.org | (406) 665-5394
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OKLAHOMA
Jeff Caskey, Technical Assistance Specialist
jeff@indianag.org | (580) 371-7869
Benefiting the Planet AND Your Operation
You'll be paid to develop and implement a grazing management plan.
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Adoption of prescribed grazing (NRCS practice code 528)
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Grazing management plan (NRCS code 110)
By developing and implementing a written grazing management plan for your operation, you’ll clearly outline your rotation schedule, stocking rates, and rest periods - giving you a practical roadmap for the season. A plan can be as simple as using your overhead GIS or aerial maps to map out paddocks, fencing improvements, water access, and livestock movement strategy. It doesn’t have to be complicated.
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Putting your approach in writing strengthens strategic decision-making, improves grazing efficiency, and supports pasture resilience and longevity. It becomes a working management tool you can adjust as conditions change. Aligning your plan with Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation practice standards also makes you eligible for compensation through this project.
Program Partners
This project is organized by the nonprofit Farm Journal Foundation in partnership with Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC). It is funded by an Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Farm Journal Foundation (FJF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. that brings together stakeholders from across the agricultural spectrum - farmers, industry leaders, policymakers, students, and consumers. The organization provides education on how innovative agriculture can solve some of the world’s biggest challenges and works with leaders to drive long-term positive action. The Foundation focuses on four main issues: global food and nutrition security, conservation and sustainability, rural development, and agricultural research and innovation.
The Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) was founded in 1987 to pursue and promote the conservation, development, and use of our agricultural resources for the betterment of our people. IAC has grown to prominence in Indian Country and among the federal government agencies and the agricultural field with which it works on behalf of individual Indian producers and Tribal enterprises. IAC believes that harmonies of human, soil, water, air, vegetation, and wildlife that collectively make up the American Indian agriculture community, influence our emotional and spiritual well-being.