United States

Country Context

Agriculture in the United States is one of the most productive in the world, yet its benefits are unevenly distributed. About 86 percent of farms are small family operations, but they account for a much smaller share of total production. Many farmers operate on tight margins and rely on off-farm income to make ends meet, with most farm households earning the majority of their income outside of farming. Rising costs, limited access to land and financing, gaps in technical support and competition with large agribusiness make it harder for smallholder farmers to stay in business.  

In this context, adopting climate-smart and regenerative practices is less about willingness and more about having the resources, support and long-term stability needed to take on risk. When small and local farmers can succeed, rural economies stay strong, natural resources are better managed and food production remains rooted in communities rather than concentrated among a few large players.

Our Response

Heifer USA supports small-scale farmers across the United States by providing education, resources and connections that help them build sustainable livelihoods. By organizing farmers into cooperatives, we increase access to stable and profitable markets, strengthening local economies and improving access to fresh, nutritious food. We also work with farmers to adopt regenerative and climate-smart practices that fit their local context, offering training and technical support that promote healthier land and more resilient farms. This work is grounded in science-based approaches that support farm profitability while improving soil health, water systems and biodiversity. 

The Heifer Ranch Center for Regenerative Agriculture, a 1,200-acre working ranch in Perryville, Arkansas, anchors this work. As a training and demonstration site, it brings farmers together for hands-on learning, peer exchange and problem-solving. It delivers practical tools and infrastructure that benefit rural communities, sustain farmer livelihoods and contribute to a more resilient U.S. food system. 

Our primary objective is helping families achieve a sustainable living income, our measure for the amount of money required for a decent life — including safe shelter, nutritious food, clothing, education and health care — while also reaching additional benchmarks for economic and climate resilience. 

The United States Signature Program  

Heifer International’s work is organized at the country level into signature programs focused on large-scale and measurable impact achieved by building partnerships at all levels. Each program supports farmers through time-bound projects designed to increase their household income.  

Regenerative Agriculture  

 Heifer’s signature program in the United States, Regenerative Agriculture, advances farmer-led approaches that restore soil health, strengthen local food systems and build resilient farm businesses.