DAVINES Group, a global leader in sustainable beauty, in collaboration with Rodale Institute, a prestigious agricultural research and education nonprofit, is introducing The Good Farmer Award to the United States in 2025.

This award initiative highlights DAVINES Group and Rodale Institute’s shared commitment to promoting regenerative organic agriculture. The award will recognize regenerative farmers (with less than 10 years of farming experience) in the U.S. who exemplify (or aim to exemplify) regenerative organic farming practices and contribute to community and environmental health.

This award builds upon the success of the Italian edition of The Good Farmer Award created by the European Regenerative Organic Center (EROC) in Parma, Italy, which promotes sustainable agricultural practices and innovation.

The inaugural Good Farmer Award U.S. is dedicated to celebrating an exemplary ‘Beginning Farmer’  who advances ecologically sound agricultural practices, builds biodiversity on-farm, and fosters resilience, sustainability, and social equity. See Award Guidelines.

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Eligibility

This award program seeks a ‘Beginning Farmer’ based in the U.S. who has been in operation for 10 years or less. Submissions should highlight active interest or current implementation in environmentally responsible practices that boost regenerative organic agriculture, biodiversity, promote long-term resilience, garner community engagement, and advance sustainable and equitable systems.

A panel of judges, including representatives from DAVINES Group and Rodale Institute, will select one grantee, along with second and third place finalists, which will be announced on Earth Day, April 22, 2025.

ABOUT THE AWARD

The award recipient will receive $10,000 from DAVINES North America, a subsidiary of Davines Group, to invest in equipment and initiatives that elevate their agroecological efforts, along with an all-expenses-paid trip (valued at $5,000) to the European Regenerative Organic Center (EROC) in Parma, Italy—a premier research and training hub connected to the Davines Group Village.

Deadline for submitting applications: Saturday, March 22, 2025 11:00pm ET

Timing

Submission of applications: January 22, 2025 – March 22, 2025

Awards Announcement & Ceremony: April 22, 2025

To apply, you will need to complete all parts of the application form available below starting at 12:00 a.m. on 01/22/2025 and until 11:00 p.m. ET on 03/22/2025.

Application

Please note, during the submission process applications cannot be ‘saved’ and must be completed in one sitting. Before beginning the application, please make sure that you have all the materials necessary to complete the form below.

Please read Award Guidelines before getting started.

If you have any questions, please see Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below. If you experience any technical difficulties submitting the application form, please contact: GoodFarmerAwards@rodaleinstitute.org.

"*" indicates required fields

1. Applicant Information

Name*
Farm/Ranch Location*
(Vegetable, Livestock, Mixed, etc.)
(Acres or hectares)
MM slash DD slash YYYY

2. Farm/Ranch Overview and Practices

Provide a brief description of your farm/ranch. Include information on the types of crops grown, farming methods, and the history of your farm. Describe your interest/commitment to regenerative organic practices.
What regenerative practices do you use?*
(Select all that apply)
e.g., cover crops, agroforestry, or biodynamics. (Up to 2000 characters)
List any certifications*
Describe the issues you face (e.g., soil erosion, access to resources). (Up to 2000 characters)
Have you been operating your own farm or ranch for 10 years or less?*
(Note, eligibility criteria: U.S. based, ‘Beginning Farmer’ operated a farm or ranch for less than 10 years)

3. Project Proposal

How will you use the award money?
Please select one or a combination of categories listed below.
Please detail the items, cost estimate, percentage of overall budget, and description of how you will use the award money for environmental impact.
*
Please detail the items, cost estimate, percentage of overall budget, and description of how you will use the award money for community engagement.
Please detail the items, cost estimate, percentage of overall budget, and description of how you will use the award money for equipment and infrastructure.
Describe the specific goals you aim to achieve with the money from this award. What will the grant help you accomplish on your farm? Why is this project important for your farm’s future and the wider agricultural community? (Max 3000 characters)
Outline the project’s phases, with milestones.

4. Supporting Documents

Max. file size: 128 MB.
(Before and after shots of any projects, if applicable).
Drop files here or
Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, png, heic, Max. file size: 128 MB, Max. files: 5.
    Letter of recommendation or testimonial from mentor, customer or community member.
    Max. file size: 128 MB.
    Letter of recommendation or testimonial from mentor, customer or community member.
    Max. file size: 128 MB.

    5. Personal Statement (optional)

    6. Declaration and Signature

    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    • About the Award

      What areas does the Award recognize?

      This award program recognizes ‘Beginning Farmers’ in the U.S. who have been farming for 10 years or less and who are leading the way in regenerative organic farming, promoting sustainable food production, and driving the ecological transition of agri-food supply chains.

    • Eligibility and Criteria

      Who is eligible for the Award?

      This award program seeks a ‘Beginning Farmer’ based in the U.S. who has been in operation for 10 years or less. Submissions should highlight active interest or current implementation in environmentally responsible practices that boost regenerative organic agriculture, biodiversity, promote long-term resilience, garner community engagement, and advance sustainable and equitable systems. Regenerative organic agriculture includes cover cropping, crop rotation, low- to no-till, compost, and zero use of persistent chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

      Can I apply if I have been farming for more than 10 years?

      This award is targeted towards a ‘Beginning Farmer’ who is new to applying regenerative practices or interested in advancing their regenerative organic farming.

      Do I need to be an officially certified organic farmer to apply?

      No, certification is not required, but your farm/ranch must demonstrate a commitment to regenerative organic farming practices.
      Are submissions accepted from any country?
      Open to eligible participants in all 50 U.S. states and U.S. territories

      When is the deadline for nominations?

      All required parts of the application form must be submitted before 11:00 p.m ET on March 22, 2025.

      In what language should the application be submitted?

      The form must be submitted in English.

      Why do you ask for supporting documents in the nomination form?

      We ask applicants to provide reference letters and/or supporting documents about the farm/ranch. This helps the Jury learn more about the applicant and gather more insight that will help the selection process.

    • Selection Process

      What is the Jury looking for?

      An exemplary ‘Beginning Farmer’ who advances ecologically sound agricultural practices, builds biodiversity on-farm, and fosters resilience, sustainability, and social equity.

      When will the 2025 edition award recipient be announced?

      The award recipient will be announced on Tuesday April 22, 2025.

      Can a re-evaluation of the process be requested?

      Appeals cannot be made against the decision taken by the panel of judges.

    • Award Funding

      How much money will be awarded?

      The Good Farmer Award U.S. is granted yearly, $10,000 USD. The U.S. award recipient will also be awarded an all-expenses paid visit to the European Regenerative Organic Center (EROC), in Parma, Italy.

      How will the award be given?

      The award will be given based on the strength of your project proposal and its alignment with regenerative organic principles. A panel of judges will review submissions and select one recipient in the U.S. The award recipient will be announced on Tuesday April 22, 2025.

      Can the award be given to more than one recipient?

      No, the U.S. Good Farmer Award is given to one U.S. recipient.

      How should the Award money be used?

      You can select one or a combination of the following categories:

      • Environmental Impact: The award will be used to help aid sustainable, resilient farming practices that reduce environmental footprints and restore ecosystems. Examples include: irrigation systems that promote water efficiency, strategic till farming, agroforestry, cover cropping.
      • Community Engagement: The award will be used to help strengthen local economies and foster community relationships by prioritizing transparency, accessibility, and mutual support. Examples include: direct-to-consumer models such as farmers’ markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and local grocery partnerships.
      • Equipment & Infrastructure: The award will be used to purchase tools and equipment that contribute to efficiency, adaptability, and sustainability. Examples include: roller crimper, advanced composting systems, energy-efficient coolers, solar panels to power infrastructure.
    • Contact

      If you have any questions, or experience any technical difficulties submitting the application form, please contact: GoodFarmerAwards@rodaleinstitute.org.

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