ADVOCACY & RESOURCES
Guidance for non-profit formation, connections to NGO and government programs, referrals to professionals and experienced landykes in the community, consultations to help new groups get started and make smart and durable choices about contracts, titles, finance, and insurance.
LAND STEWARDS * NEW FARMERS
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
LAND STEWARDS
Federal Land Conservation Resources - ConserveLands.com
www.conservelands.com/Federal-Land-Conservation-Resources.asp
The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is a voluntary program that provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and Tribes to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring eligible land from agriculture.
The Agricultural Act of 2014 (Act) establishes the Agricultural Conservation Easement ... Impacts of the Federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program:
Conservation Programs - Farm Service Agency
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/conservation-programs/
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) pays a yearly rental payment in exchange for farmers removing environmentally sensitive land from agricultural ...
Conservation Reserve Program · Grassland Reserve Program · CREP
NRCS Conservation Programs - Natural Resources Conservation ...
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs
NRCS's natural resources conservation programs help people reduce soil ... Conservation Compliance - Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation ...
NRCS Funding Opportunities · Alphabetical Listing & Archive · Landscape Initiatives
Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program | NRCS
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/.../farmranch
National Association of Conservation Districts
www.nacdnet.org/ Search by state and county for your district
member organization that serves roughly 3,000 local and state conservation districts across the nation in delivering locally-led natural resource conservation.
SOIL: NACD works at the local, state, regional, and national level to safeguard and enhance healthy soils across the United States, whether they support grazing land, rangeland, agricultural land, or urban and community land.
FORESTRY: Conservation of private and public forestland is of critical importance to NACD. Modern challenges - including invasive species, pests, and disease.
WILDLIFE: NACD believes voluntary and landowner-led conservation of threatened and endangered species is a critical and often under-utilized means of achieving the goals of the Endangered Species Act.
FEDERAL POLICY: NACD advocates for more than 3,000 conservation districts across the United States, ensuring federal policy and funding levels reflect the mission and goals of our district members.
WATER: NACD works to improve and protect water quality by providing conservation districts with the technical assistance they need to advise local landowners on nutrient management strategies and erosion prevention practices.
URBAN AND COMMUNITY: When conservation districts were first established in the Dust Bowl era, they mostly worked with farmers, ranchers, and forest owners. But landscapes have changed and districts have adapted.
Federal Programs | Land Trust Alliance
www.landtrustalliance.org/topics/federal-programs
Federal Land Conservation Programs The federal government is a vital source of funding for land and natural resource conservation in America. The programs provide matching funds to conservation partners, so federal investments go further to protect America's productive land.
Conservation Grant & Assistance Programs - Private Landowner
www.privatelandownernetwork.org/Grant-and-Assistance-Programs/
Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is the federal program to conserve irreplaceable lands and improve outdoor recreation opportunities
Conservation Funding - National Wildlife Federation
https://www.nwf.org/What-We-Do/Conservation-Policy/Conservation-Funding.aspx
Federal tax incentives for conservation easements
Land and Water Conservation Fund (U.S. National Park Service)
The Land and Water Conservation Fund was established by Congress in 1964 ... The LWCF program can be divided into the "State Side" which provides ... wildlife , and recreation management objectives of federal land management agencies and Waterway conservation.
Conservation Stewardship Program | National Sustainable Agriculture ...
sustainableagriculture.net/.../conservation.../conservation-stewardship-program/
CSP covers more acres of working farm and ranch lands on a multi-year basis than any other federal conservation program.
Federal Private Lands Programs for Bird Conservation - U.S. Fish and ...
https://www.fws.gov/Midwest/es/soc/birds/cerw/pdf/fed-programs.pdf
USDA Forest Service. Federal Private Lands Programs for. Bird Conservation.
Conservation Programs Overview - National Agricultural Law Center
nationalaglawcenter.org/overview/conservation-programs/
Conservation programs are voluntary federal programs designed to ... Conservation programs can be divided into two categories, “land retirement” and “working ...
Land Trust Alliance | Together, conserving the places you love
Promotes voluntary land conservation and works with nonprofit land trusts by providing information, skills and resources
American Farmland Trust seeks to preserve, protect, and manage
farmland, providing open space, clean water, and wildlife habitat. Contact 1200 18th St. NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036, 2023317300, or visit www.farmland.org.
Equity Trust, Inc. is a non-profit organization that works with grassroots groups to pioneer creative models relating to use, control, and stewardship of property. It can be reached at P.O. Box 746, Turners Falls, MA 01376, 413-863-9038, www.equitytrust.org.
Farmland Information Center is a clearinghouse for farmland protection and stewardship information. It is a partnership between American Farmland Trust and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Call 800-370-4879, or visit http://www.farmlandinfo.org/.
Gathering Waters Conservancy provides one-on-one advice for landowners to learn about their land conservation options. Visit www.gatheringwaters.org, or contact 211 South Paterson St., Suite 270, Madison, WI 53703, 608-251-9131.
The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Nature Conservancy accepts estate gifts and offers planning tools on their web site, http://www.giftplanning.nature.org. Worldwide Office: The Nature Conservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203-1606, 703-841-5300.
Trust for Public Land is a land conservation organization that conserves land for parks, community gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural places. It has numerous offices across the US, with the main office at 116 New Montgomery St., 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, 415-495-4010, 800-714-LAND,
http://www.tpl.org.
Wilderness Land Trust focuses on protecting wilderness from development, “keeping wilderness wild.” Contact P.O. Box 1420, Carbondale, CO 81623, 970-963-1725,
http://www.wildernesslandtrust.org.
Wildlife Land Trust, an affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States, encourages land or conservation easement donations to create sanctuaries for the protection of wildlife. It is located at 2100 L St. NW, Washington, DC 20037, 800-729-SAVE, http://www.wlt.org.
National Farmers Union | United to Grow Family Agriculture
United States organization protecting the interests of family farms and ranches. Includes information on cooperatives and other programs, news, legislation
Women, Food and Agriculture
wfan.org Women Landowner Outreach:
Working with women landowners to educate them about conservation methods they can implement on their land.
Women Caring for the Land (WCL) is designed to serve women farmland landowners who are interested in learning more about conservation. The program is in increasing demand among both women landowners and agency partners such as NRCS and state departments of natural resources. You’ll find videos for women farmland owners here.
Many communities andstates have other conservation organizations and land trusts. Search by state and program.
ENVIRONMENTAL NON-PROFIT LEADERS Selected by Mother Jones
350.org. An international campaign dedicated to fighting climate change, 350.org gets its name from the maximum level of atmospheric carbon dioxide — 350 parts per million (ppm) — that climate scientists agree will maintain our planet’s long-term ecological health. Now, the level is 400 ppm, and it’s rising by 2 ppm each year. This group organizes in 188 countries and strives to revolutionize the climate movement.
Cornucopia Institute. This plucky nonprofit, headquartered in Cornucopia, Wis., supports sustainable agriculture and often challenges Big Ag and even the USDA — and wins. On Cornucopia’s website, you’ll find the latest updates regarding toxic pesticides, genetically modified foods and more, along with “score cards” that rate the sustainability of different food brands.
Earth Policy Institute. This group, founded by internationally renowned environmentalist Lester Brown and based in Washington, D.C., produces authoritative reports on global issues, as well as detailed roadmaps for how to solve interconnected environmental and social challenges. The Institute’s thorough reports on climate, energy, population, agriculture, transportation and more are clear and compelling.
Friends of the Earth. Whether via exposing corruption in Keystone XL pipeline proposals or persuading thousands of grocery stores not to carry genetically modified salmon, this nonprofit is a hard-hitting voice pressing for change locally, on the global stage, and politically in the halls of Congress.
Natural Resources Defense Council. The NRDC uses law, science and the support of 1.4 million members and online activists to protect wild places and foster a safe and healthy environment for people and wildlife alike. With a staff of more than 350 lawyers, the Council is one of the most powerful groups fighting to create a clean-energy future, protect endangered species and revive the world’s oceans.
Nature Conservancy. Since its foundation in 1951, this global conservation group has safeguarded more than 115 million acres of land from development. The Conservancy works with landowners, communities and businesses to achieve conservation goals.
Organic Seed Alliance. The leading organic seed institution in the United States, this group conducts organic plant-breeding and seed-production research, educates farmers, and advocates for national policies that strengthen and protect organic seed systems.
Pew Charitable Trusts. The Environment Group branch of the Pew Charitable Trusts is a global organization that advises international policymakers on many crucial environmental issues, which it divides into three categories: ocean, land and energy.
Sierra Club. The Sierra Club, founded in 1892, has an impressive, storied history and is one of the oldest and largest grass-roots environmental organizations in the United States. The group’s website is a hub of opportunities to participate in all sorts of environmental campaigns, from rallying against fracking to opposing carbon pollution.
Union of Concerned Scientists. This alliance of more than 400,000 citizens and scientists uses scientific analysis — not political calculations or corporate hype — to push for responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices and consumer choices. This nonprofit’s victories include helping establish higher fuel-efficiency requirements for vehicles and pass renewable-energy standards in many U.S. states.
NEW FARMERS
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP ...
https://nifa.usda.gov/program/beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program-
USDA Farm Service Agency: Beginning Farmer Loan Programs ...
www.cfra.org/resources/Publications/Beg_Farmer_loan_programs
Young Beginning Farmers - AgStar
www.agstar.com › Enhancing Rural America
Beginning and Minority Farmers | National Sustainable Agriculture ...
sustainableagriculture.net/category/beginning-minority-farmers
Farm Aid Grants — Keeping Family Farmers on the Land
https://www.farmaid.org/our-work/grants
National Young Farmers Coalition
www.youngfarmers.org/tag/grants
Minority and Women Farmers and Ranchers - Farm Service Agency
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm...women-farmers.
Grants for Beginning Female Farmers | Chron.com
smallbusiness.chron.com › Money & Debt › Grant
Farming Grants & Scholarships for Women in Agriculture
www.scholarshipsforwomen.net/agriculture
Small Business Association
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/grants-beginning-female-farmers-15283.html
ACDI/VOCA Grants - this organization works with female farmers improving their communities,
National Center for Appropriate Technology. ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. attra.org
A calendar of organic farming and sustainable agriculture funding and grant opportunities. Browse the list or search by keyword.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education: Grant Information
USDA. National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE). Farmers and ranchers can apply for SARE research grants that typically run between $500 and $15,000.
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
michaelfields.org Fostering Sustainable Agriculture through Research, Education and Policy
Also see the Grants, Loans, and Support Page of the USDA’s new Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Website for an overview of federal grant and loan programs.
Ways to finance land purchase or project USDAEZ Guarantee Loans
Uses a simplified application process to help beginning, small, urban producers, underserved and family farmers and ranchers to apply for loans up to $100,000, to purchase farmland or finance agricultural operations, available through banks, credit unions, microlenders such as community development and rural redevelopment organizations.
The Carrot Project “is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating financing solutions for small- and midsized farms, limited-resource farms, and those using ecologically sound practices. Our singular program model is designed to incubate and establish alternative financing programs in combination with business technical assistance.
Every Farm Credit institution has some kind of enhancement program for young, beginning, and small (YBS) farmers. Since each of those 90 institutions is independently operated, their YBS programs are not the same–they are tailored to local needs.
The Farm School for Women - North Carolina Women of the Land
beginningfarmers.org/farm-training
The Good Cheer Food Bank, and the Learning from the Land program of the Whidbey Institute, are offering a partnering to offer an 8-month farm training and Apprenticeship in community gardening in WA
National Young Farmers’ Coalition
http://www.youngfarmers.org/practical/training-and-helpful-organizations/
offers training opportunities across the US. In MN for example: 1. Lake Superior Farm Beginnings 2. Land Stewardship Project Farm Beginnings 3. Minnesota Food Association Big River Farms Training Program
Northeast Organic Farming Association
http://www.ctnofa.org/Beginning_women_farmers.html
NOFA has partnered with Holistic Management International for six years to implement the Beginning Women Farmer (BWF) Program.
Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service MOSES
mosesorganic.org Organic University, full day training on various topics prior to moses organic farming conference. Rural Women Project: In Her Boots field days for women on women’s farms
WAgN
www.mofga.org Known as WAgN, for Women in Agriculture Network, the program, established in 1997 through the support of Maine Cooperative Extension has expanded throughout the Northeast
University Agricultural Extension Office
Agricultural extension applies research to agricultural practices through farmer education. Often located in rural areas of states, there are often resources and offer classes including agricultural practices, food science, small business topics, grant writing, and health. Search by state university
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Eve Rose Borenstein
Helpful Resources and Websites for Learning About Exempt Organization Tax Mandates
• Eve Rose Borenstein, LLCtaxexemptlaw.org
• Alliance for Justice: On Advocacy
• Alliance for Justice: Navigate the Rules
• Alliance for Justice: Focus on Foundations
• Alliance for Justice: Main Page (News)
• Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest
• Finding Bills/Laws (Federal): Thomas
Helpful Government Resources and Updates to Learn About Employment Issues
• United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• United States Department of Labor
• Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Publications
• 2013 MN legislature Change to Minn. Stat. Section 181.9413
IRS Exempt Organization Resource Info
• IRS Website: Exempt Organizations Main Page
• IRS Website: Life Cycle of a Public Charity
• IRS Website: Life Cycle of a Private Foundation
• IRS Website: Life Cycle of a Social Welfare Organization
• IRS Publication 1771 | Charitable Contributions (Substantiation and Disclosure Rules for EOs)
• IRS Website: “Search for Charities” (organizations listed in Publication 78)
• Click here for: | IRS Publication on “Good Governance for Charitable Organizations,” 2/14/2008 (still valuable info, 2nd 1/2 of 2011)
• Internal Revenue Manual
• Forms and Publications
• EO Tax Law Training Articles
• IRS Training Modules: Tax Basics for Exempt Organizations
• Fact Sheet: IRS Complaint Process for Tax Exempt Organizations
Fundraising Registration, Charity Reporters, 990 Sites, 990 Issues, Key State Reporting Issues
• Unified Registration Statement (to allow multi-state filing)
• Guidestar
• Accounting Books Recommended by Members of the Nonprofit Financial Group
• Nonprofits Assistance Fund
Nonprofits Assistance Fund - Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
www.minnesotanonprofits.org/nonprofitspecialist/nonprofits-assistance-fund
When nonprofits need a trusted advisor, we are here to help. Nonprofits Assistance Fund provides guidance to help nonprofits answer immediate questions
SAGE- Service and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Elders
http://www.sageusa.org/lgbthousing/
Search for similar organizations in your state