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Grazing for Appalachian Sustainability (GRASS)

Serving small and underserved farmers in Central Appalachia.


Project Overview

West Virginia University Extension is leading the GRazing for Appalachian SuStainability (GRASS) grant project, serving beef cattle and sheep producers across West Virginia and Virginia. The GRASS project was awarded by the USDA Advancing Markets for Producers initiative. The goal of GRASS is to facilitate the production of beef cattle and sheep, promoting a shift from conventional management practices to soil health-conscious practices on working lands and expand existing markets for these commodities.

The GRASS project provides farmers with educational and technical assistance, as well as financial incentives, to support the transition from conventional management to sustainable conservation practices on working lands. Transitioning to conservation management practices for cattle, beef and sheep production will improve soil health while boosting economic outcomes for small farmers in Appalachia. Participating farmers may qualify to receive an annual cash incentive, training and marketing assistance. 

Approved Practices

Approved USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) practices include:

  • Alley Cropping (Code 311)
  • Silvopasture (Code 381)
  • Fencing (Code 382)*
  • Pasture and hay planting (Code 512)
  • Prescribed grazing (Code 528)
  • Nutrient management (Code 590)
  • Tree/Shrub Establishment (Code 612)
  • Watering facility (Code 614)*

*To be used only in combination with other practices listed above.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the GRASS Project you must:
  • Produce beef cattle or sheep in West Virginia or Virginia
  • Be a US citizen
  • Not represent a foreign entity
  • Own or have control (through a lease) of the enrolled property through the end of the project
  • Have established farm records with USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
  • Have completed AD-2047 (Customer Data Worksheet) and AD-1026 (Highly Erodible Land Conservation & Wetland Conservation compliance)
  • Agree to allow farm-access (with prior notification) to trusted project staff and share relevant farm information and data with project partners
  • Ensure that the GRASS project is not funding a project that has already received funding
  • Be willing to keep and report accurate farm and sales records
  • Meet practice-specific requirements based on NRCS Conservation Practice Standards

Project Partners

  • WVU Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; WVU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources; WVU Extension Small Farm Center
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  • West Virginia Conservation Agency
  • West Virginia Association of Conservation Districts
  • Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
  • Hickory Nut Gap
  • Farmers United Cattle Company

Working with our project partners, our goal is to recruit and support participating farms in West Virginia and Virginia.

For More Information 

For more information, please contact the project through grass@wvu.edu or reach out to Kate Fotos, GRASS project program coordinator.

To keep in touch with the project, sign-up for the GRASS email list by clicking the button below. The email list receives all project wide updates!

Email List Sign-Up

Ready to Apply

The GRASS Project is currently taking applications! The Summer 2026 application will be open through August 15, 2026. Click the button below to access the application.

GRASS Application