Award Will Celebrate and Support Beginning Farmers Committed to Environmentally-Responsible Practices.

Davines North America, a subsidiary of Davines Group, and Rodale Institute proudly announced the launch of The Good Farmer Award U.S. on January 22, 2025. Building on the success of the inaugural The Good Farmer Award in Italy, this initiative seeks to honor and support U.S.-based beginning farmers and ranchers, who have been in operation for 10 years or less, who exemplify sustainable farming practices and contribute to community and environmental health.

These farmers will be celebrated for their contributions to environmentally responsible practices that boost biodiversity, promote long-term resilience, garner community engagement, and advance sustainable and equitable systems. This award was created by Davines Group in 2024 in Italy and is now supported in the U.S. by Rodale Institute, two organizations committed to promoting regenerative organic agriculture as a powerful tool for improving environmental health and the well-being of rural communities.

Rodale Institute trains farmers in regenerative organic agricultural practices

“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 JeffTkach. “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.”

“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.”

Jorge Blanco, Jeff Tkach and Davide Bollati speak at Climate Week Event in New York City when the initiative was announced.

Award Details

The recipient of The Good Farmer Award U.S. will receive a $10,000 prize from Davines North America to invest in equipment or initiatives that enhance their agroecological practices. In addition, the winner will enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to the European Regenerative Organic Center (EROC) in Parma, Italy—a premier research and training hub affiliated with the Davines Group. The EROC visit, valued at $5,000, offers the winner an opportunity to exchange knowledge with global experts and gain new insights into regenerative organic farming techniques.

Second and third place winners will be granted access to Rodale Institute Education Resources, including online courses and workshops to further their regenerative organic farming journey.

European Regenerative Organic Center and Davines Group Village in Parma, Italy

Award Focus: Regenerative Organic Farming

This year’s The Good Farmer Award U.S. will focus on farmers who demonstrate a commitment to practices that enhance biodiversity, increase climate resilience, and foster environmental stewardship. Award submissions should highlight active efforts in regenerative farming 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.

Rodale Institute’s best-in-class research and farmer training programs serve as a catalyst for change in farming and food production worldwide.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must meet the USDA Beginning Farmer definition, meaning they have been farming or ranching for 10 years or less. They must also demonstrate a strong commitment to regenerative organic practices. All applicants will need to submit detailed proposals outlining how they plan to use the prize money across one or more categories, along with supporting documentation such as a personal statement, photos of their farm, and letters of recommendation.

Application Timeline and Process

● Submission Period: January 22, 2025 – March 22, 2025

● Award Announcement: Earth Day, April 22, 2025

Applications will be reviewed by a distinguished jury, consisting of experts in sustainable farming, biodiversity, and agroecology. The final award recipients will be selected based on their commitment to innovative regenerative practices and their vision for advancing ecological and social resilience.

How to Apply

Farmers interested in applying for The Good Farmer Award U.S. can complete the application form. The form requires detailed descriptions of their farming practices, proposed use of the award funding, and a personal statement about their journey in regenerative farming. See Award Guidelines for more information.

Applications can be submitted online until March 22, 2025, at 11:00 p.m. EST. The award recipients will be announced on Earth Day, April 22, 2025.