High Plains Permaculture
An educational farm lays the foundation for healthy soil on new land with the help of a Restore grant.
200 acres
•
1,418 tons CO2e
•
Hedgerow Planting
•
200 acres • 1,418 tons CO2e • Hedgerow Planting •
Bringing Eaters Back to Agriculture
High Plains Permaculture in Boulder County, Colorado, is a farm that grows both food and community, while restoring the health of the surrounding prairie ecosystem. Their approach is innovative: for their farm to function like forests and meadows, which the volunteer staff “shapes”, rather than completely controlling food production.
“This grant has made it possible for us to put in place the foundational water management and perennial cropping systems that will anchor the ecosystem and agricultural production on this partner property for years to come.”
A New Project
In 2024, the farm grew, adding the Tuck property to their operation. They treated the land as a restoration project designed to bring the prairie back to life. With the goal of rehydrating the soil and reintroducing native fruit crops, they are using cattle, goats, and geese alongside strategic reseeding of native grasses and wildflowers to rebuild the landscape. With the help of a Restore grant, they have been able to plant a hedgerow along the property to support wildlife and prevent soil erosion.
Of the grant, the High Plains Permaculture staff has said, “This grant has made it possible for us to put in place the foundational water management and perennial cropping systems that will anchor the ecosystem and agricultural production on this partner property for years to come.” As the native prairie returns and perennial crops begin to grow, the project will continue to sequester carbon, support wildlife habitat, and one day feed the surrounding community.
About High Plains Permaculture
“We work at the intersection of ecology, community, and agriculture. Our volunteer membership program provides an accessible way for members to learn about agroecology, participate in a wide array of homesteading activities, and share in food and community. We also offer hands-on, immersive educational programs for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and aspiring land stewards.”
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Zero Foodprint awards grants for projects that take carbon out of the atmosphere and put it back where it belongs: in the earth, creating healthy soil and better food. To do this, we focus on regenerative farming practices like composting, cover cropping, and managed grazing that can restore life to our soil while removing carbon from the atmosphere. Together, we have the power to grow more nutritious food, heal natural water cycles, and create habitat for biodiversity to thrive. Explore previously funded projects to see what this might look like on your farm.
For more information, read through other Restore Grant FAQs.oes here
Zero Foodprint (ZFP) is a nonprofit organization restoring the climate, one acre at a time. We believe that by regenerating soil, local food economies can play a critical role in reversing the global climate crisis. We work with food and beverage businesses, philanthropy, and government to bring the next dollar to implement the next regenerative practice on the next acre. This regenerative economy benefits every person who grows food, every person who sells food, and every person on this planet who eats food.
