The work we do aims to benefit the people, places, and practices that are needed to drive toward a future of better agriculture – one that is more inclusive, sustainable, and durable.
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Expanding Access to Ag Conservation Programs
Helianth is providing Technical Assistance to the California Department of Conservation on its initiative to increase equity and inclusion of underrepresented groups in its Sustainable Agricultural Land Conservation program, or SALC. Our goal is to increase the degree to which socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers are included in projects funded by the SALC program. We […]
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Connecting Rural Groceries and Farms
Helianth is exploring ways to better connect rural groceries with the farms that, while largely rural in nature, often do not provide fresh produce to their community’s retail outlets. This is a major challenge for food security and sustainability. To further this effort, we are connecting with other practitioners in the field, developing research initiatives, […]
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Success Factors for Rural Farm-to-School Initiatives
Helianth has produced a case study, the first of a three-part series, that explores the challenges and successes of Humboldt County Office of Education’s Farm-to-School endeavors. The study explores how a rural and remote northern California community has become a leader in the farm-to-school realm through the support of numerous state and federal grants, the […]
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Technical Studies for Food Systems Projects
Helianth’s team has produced and contributed to several studies – feasibility studies, sustainability plans, needs assessments, and more – focused on supply chain projects. These studies have been produced for and in support of USDA funding programs and regional initiatives; they have been used to guide conceptual designs, secure additional resources to support project implementation, […]
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Supporting Tribal Food Sovereignty
Helianth’s team has produced and contributed to grants, planning documents, and community development initiatives that support food sovereignty for Tribal nations and Indigenous communities. Included in this work is attention to expanding perspectives of how food is sourced, shared, consumed, and celebrated – namely, because food and medicines are an anchor for culture and community, […]
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Equipping Farmers to Adopt Conservation Practices
Helianth is investigating the data needs, operating functions, value propositions, and business requirements of a multi-sided platform that will support adoption of conservation tillage and cover cropping by connecting small/mid-sized farmers in the Midwest US with farm equipment operators or equipment sharing systems. Through stakeholder engagement and iterative R&D, we are validating the market value, […]