A New Path for Farmland Owners
Across South Dakota, farmland owners are asking bigger questions about the future of agriculture.
- How do we keep land productive for the next generation?
- How do we adapt to shifting weather patterns?
- How do we make sure farm ground retains its value in a changing market?
One answer gaining traction is the move toward regenerative and organic farming practices. Thanks to new support programs, the transition has become more practical and profitable than ever.
At Stalcup Ag Service, we believe these programs offer a real opportunity for landowners and tenants to strengthen both productivity and long-term resilience.
What Is the Organic Transition Initiative – Regenerative Agriculture Pathway Program?
South Dakota farmers now have access to the Organic Transition Initiative – Regenerative Agriculture Pathway Program (OTI-RAPP). This program is a collaboration between the South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) and USDA NRCS.
It’s a straightforward mission: give farmers the hands-on technical support and education they need to adopt regenerative and organic systems successfully.
The program provides:
- On-farm technical assistance to guide new practices.
- Educational workshops and resources to build skills and confidence.
- Support networks connecting farmers, landowners, and conservation experts.
It’s centered around making real, on-the-ground change possible.
Why Regenerative and Organic Practices Matter
For many landowners, the term “regenerative agriculture” feels like a buzzword. But in practice, it comes down to principles that South Dakota farmers already value: soil health, water conservation, and long-term productivity.
Here’s what regenerative and organic practices deliver:
- Healthier soil: Cover crops, reduced tillage, and compost build soils that hold moisture, cycle nutrients, and resist erosion.
- Cleaner water: Healthy soils filter runoff and reduce nutrient loss into South Dakota’s streams and rivers.
- Biodiversity: From pollinators to beneficial insects, regenerative systems create balance in the field.
- Climate resilience: More diverse cropping systems withstand weather extremes better than monocultures.
These outcomes are environmental wins for landowners, but they’re also tied directly to land value and long-term profitability.
What This Means for Farmland Owners in South Dakota
Whether you actively farm your ground or manage it from afar, OTI-RAPP has implications for your land.
Absentee Owners
If you live out of state, you know how important it is to have confidence in your land’s management. By encouraging regenerative and organic practices, you protect natural resources and the future market value of your farmland. Buyers and appraisers increasingly recognize stewardship practices as a sign of well-managed ground.
Active Operators
For farmers working the land every day, the program brings practical tools to reduce input costs and improve yields over time. Regenerative practices can cut reliance on expensive fertilizer and pesticides while improving soil productivity. The transition is an investment, backed by technical and financial support.
Families Thinking About the Next Generation
For many families, farmland is more than an asset; it’s a legacy. Adopting regenerative practices through OTI-RAPP can help ensure the ground you pass on is healthier and more resilient than when you received it.
The Financial Side: Making Transition Practical
One of the biggest barriers to organic or regenerative farming is cost. Changing systems often requires new equipment, seed mixes, or management approaches. OTI-RAPP helps bridge that gap by pairing technical guidance with funding opportunities and cost-share support.
With USDA NRCS and SDSPA behind the program, South Dakota farmers can tap into:
- Cost-share programs to offset initial expenses.
- Mentorship and peer learning from other farmers who have already made the transition.
- Step-by-step planning to ease into regenerative systems without taking on unnecessary risk.
In other words, you don’t have to take the leap alone or all at once.
How This Ties Into Land Appraisals and Sales
At Stalcup Ag Service, one of our key roles is conducting farmland appraisals across the Midwest. Increasingly, we see how regenerative and organic practices factor into long-term value.
A farm with healthier soils, lower erosion risk, and established conservation practices often stands out in today’s marketplace. Buyers want ground that’s not only productive today but sustainable for decades to come.
For landowners considering a future sale or auction, positioning your property as a farm already moving toward regenerative or organic practices can be a strategic advantage.
The Role of Farm Managers
Programs like OTI-RAPP work best when someone is there to guide the transition. That’s where professional farm managers come in.
At Stalcup, we:
- Help landowners and tenants evaluate which regenerative practices make sense.
- Connect farms with cost-share opportunities.
- Track progress and outcomes to show how practices are paying off.
- Maintain strong relationships between landowners and tenants throughout the transition.
Our philosophy has always been relationship-driven. We’re not just here for a season. We’re here to partner with you for years, and even across generations. Transitioning to regenerative or organic farming is a big step, but it’s one we can walk through together.
Future-Proofing South Dakota Farms
Agriculture is changing fast. Markets are shifting. Weather patterns are unpredictable. Input costs remain volatile. For South Dakota landowners, the ability to adapt isn’t optional.
The Organic Transition Initiative – Regenerative Agriculture Pathway Program offers tools and support to make that adaptation possible. And with the right management partner, those changes can translate into stronger land value, healthier farms, and a lasting legacy.
Let’s Talk About Your Farm’s Future
Whether you’re an absentee owner looking for peace of mind, an operator curious about cutting inputs, or a family thinking about the next generation, Stalcup Ag Service can help you explore what regenerative and organic practices mean for your land in South Dakota.
Contact us to start a conversation about how today’s conservation programs can strengthen your farm.
The Bigger Picture: Resilient Iowa Farms
Integrated Pest Management is about building farms that are resilient to weather, market shifts, and environmental pressures. By turning field edges and marginal acres into habitat, Iowa farmers are showing how innovation and conservation go hand in hand.
We work with landowners and tenants in Buena Vista County and across Iowa to implement strategies like prairie strips that make sense both agronomically and financially. Whether through farm management, farmland appraisals, or farm real estate, we help ensure every acre is positioned for long-term success.
Ready to Explore IPM on Your Farm?
If you’re a landowner—local or absentee—or a farm tenant interested in conservation practices like prairie strips, we’d love to talk. Our team can help you evaluate financial incentives, design a management plan, and understand how IPM fits into the bigger picture of your land’s value and productivity.
Call us at 712-732-4811 or complete our contact form, and we’ll get back to you. Learn more about how Stalcup Ag Service can help you protect and grow your farm for the next generation.