National Grazing Lands Coalition Announces More Than $7 Million in Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Subawards
Historic investment empowers locally led organizations to deliver hands-on grazing education and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers nationwide.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[CASTLE PINES, Co. — October 13, 2026] — The National Grazing Lands Coalition (NatGLC) is proud to announce the approval of more than $7 million in subawards through the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI), marking a significant milestone in the organization's decades-long commitment to advancing voluntary, producer-led grazing lands conservation.
The funding, provided though the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) will support 21 organizations working directly with farmers, ranchers and grazing land stewards to provide practical education, technical assistance and locally relevant resources that strengthen grazing operations and improve the stewardship of America's grazing lands.
“Our farmers and ranchers know their land better than anyone, and our job is to make sure they have the tools and support to keep it productive,” said NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley. “This investment puts resources closer to the people doing the work, strengthens locally led conservation, and helps producers improve their grazing operations. That’s how we keep working lands in working hands for today and the next generation.”
The opportunity generated substantial interest nationwide, with NatGLC receiving 30 applications requesting more than $10 million in funding. The strong response underscores both the demand for grazing-focused assistance and the capacity of grassroots organizations to deliver meaningful conservation outcomes in their communities.
"This is an important moment for grazing lands conservation and for the organizations that have worked tirelessly to support producers in their communities," said Ashley McDonald, Executive Director of NatGLC. "With our partner USDA-NRCS we are putting those resources directly into the hands of organizations that understand local challenges, have established relationships with producers and know how to deliver technical assistance that makes a difference."
Investing in Grassroots Conservation
Grazing lands are essential to agricultural production, rural economies, wildlife habitat, water resources, and the health of working landscapes. Yet the producers who manage these lands often face complex challenges that require practical, regionally relevant solutions.
GLCI funding helps bridge the gap between conservation knowledge and on-the-ground implementation by supporting organizations that provide workshops, field days, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, one-on-one technical assistance and other forms of grazing lands support. GLCI funding helps ensure that conservation resources reach producers in ways that are accessible, relevant, and actionable.
2026 GLCI Subaward Recipients
NatGLC congratulates the following 21 organizations selected to receive GLCI subawards:
Arkansas Grazing Lands Coalition
California Rangeland Trust
GrassWorks (Wisconsin)
Homer Soil and Water Conservation District (Alaska)
Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition
Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition
Louisiana Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative
Minnesota Grazing Lands Conservation Association
Mississippi Grazing Lands Coalition
Missouri Forage & Grassland Council
Montana Grazing Lands Coalition
Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition
North Dakota Grazing Lands Coalition
North Jersey RC&D Area Inc.
Ranchers Stewardship Alliance
South Central Resource Conservation and Development
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Texas Grazing Land Coalition
Vermont Grass Farmers Association
Virginia Forage and Grassland Council
Through these investments, recipient organizations will expand opportunities for farmers and ranchers to access education, build relationships with conservation professionals and fellow producers, and explore grazing management practices that support their operational goals.
By supporting the organizations closest to the land and the people who manage it, NatGLC has strengthened the network of grazing lands advocates, educators, and practitioners working to sustain America's working landscapes for generations to come.
About the National Grazing Lands Coalition
The National Grazing Lands Coalition (NatGLC) delivers assistance to grazing land stewards to foster the benefits grazing lands provide to family farms, ranches, local communities, and all of society. Through education, partnerships and advocacy, NatGLC works to advance grazing land stewardship across the United States.
Media Contact:
Ellen Harrell
National Grazing Lands Coalition
ellen@grazinglands.org
