Kiss the Ground Regenerating Communities Grants

Funder: Kiss the Ground, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Los Angeles, California

The Kiss the Ground Regenerating Communities Grant was designed to build and support new and existing communities of regenerative farmers to enhance grower connectivity; foster information, resource, and equipment sharing; and contribute to the broader food system across California and the Midwest.

Geographic Scope: California and Minnesota (Midwest)

Mission Alignment: Kiss the Ground directly supports farmers and ranchers scaling their regenerative systems. The organization aims to support farmers actively participating in regeneration of their local foodsheds, creatively identifying ways to address climate extremes, biodiversity loss, food security, and other resource concerns.

Focus Areas:

• Infrastructure and equipment for regenerative agriculture transition
• Training and supplies
• Cooperative formation
• Operating costs
• Building new infrastructure
• Facilitating training (field days, workshops)
• Community development and capacity building

What They Fund:

• Projects that support community development and build capacity for regenerative agriculture in a specific region
• Equipment purchases
• Infrastructure development
• Training programs
• Cooperative operations
• Projects providing positive and lasting impact on the community beyond the life of the grant

What They Don't Fund:
No explicit exclusions stated, but the program specifically targets gaps not covered by government programs like CDFA's Healthy Soils Program (e.g., equipment, processing, infrastructure costs).

Eligibility:

• Farmers and ranchers
• Focus on small farms and ranch owners
• Priority given to projects supporting community development and regional capacity building
• Priority given to projects with lasting community impact

Contact Information:

• Nathan Rice
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: kisstheground.com

Background:
The program was created in response to a critical gap in grant funding identified through conversations with farmers. While government programs like CDFA's Healthy Soils Program support soil management practices (cover cropping, no-till, reduced-till, mulching, compost application, conservation plantings), they do not cover equipment, processing, and infrastructure costs needed to scale regenerative land management successfully. Kiss the Ground's grant program seeks to fill that gap.

Past Awards (2023):

• Cuyama Lamb – $44,000
• Avenue 33 Farm – $10,000
• McGrath Family Farmers – $10,000
• Table Bluff Farm – $12,500
• Organic Compound – $30,000
• Gaviota Givings – $10,200
• Yisrael Family Farm – $18,700
• Total distributed: $135,400