This program made possible by Oregon State University and the USDA Advancing Markets for Producers initiative.

Farmer Forward, USA Made

Turning Verified Practicesinto Market Value for Farmers

See how it worksMeet the Farmers ›
Scroll

35

producer enrollments

1,849

fields enrolled

96,677

acres verified

1,695

practice verifications

4

crop years of verified data (2023–2026)

Farmer Forward is a farmer-led, field-level verification program, establishing consumer trust in U.S. farmers using conservation practices to preserve their land and livelihoods for future generations.

Supported by the USDA Advancing Markets for Producers initiative and administered by Oregon State University.

How the program works

Farmer-Led Program Elements

Farmer Forward delivers field-level verification that turns conservation practices into market value. Six farmer-led steps from plan to sale, each documented, approved by Oregon State University, and written to proof records.

↓ The technology behind these steps

  1. Rows of soybeans in low evening light
    01

    Management Plan

    AgBiz Logic

    Farmers input annual farm management plan data into AgBiz Logic to access decision-making tools that turn conservation practice input data into measurable economic and environmental outcomes.

  2. A grower walking a field of standing crop
    02

    Practice Implementation

    Farmers implement conservation practices; they monitor the results, change inputs as needed, and work with OSU Technical Specialist to maximize program benefits.

  3. A grower checking a hemp plant at golden hour
    03

    Practice Verification

    Farmer Forward Verify

    Utilizing farm management plan data, Farmer Forward Verify allows farmers to self-verify actual practice data, field-by-field, receiving OSU approvals for incentive payments.

    Farmer Forward Verify · field recordIllustrative
    Field 07 · Cover Crop (340)Self-verified ✓
    GPS-tagged photos, dates, acreageAttached ✓
    OSU approvalApproved · written to ledger
  4. A grower checking a record on a phone in the field
    04

    Blockchain Record

    Stability blockchain

    Verifications are written to the blockchain, which is a secure, anonymous digital ledger. Buyers, processors, and consumers can verify claims directly from the farmer. Each verified crop year adds to the chain, building a permanent, farmer-controlled history of stewardship.

  5. The Farmer Forward Verify seal over a grower standing in a young field
    05

    Program Certificate

    Certificate + QR code

    Farmers receive certificate and a practice page confirming program participation, verification of NRCS-endorsed practices, and blockchain records. These credentials can be used in sales, pitch materials, and building new business relationships, proving the value of the farmer's stewardship directly.

  6. Aerial view of a harvester filling a trailer
    06

    Marketing and Sales

    Marketing execution is designed to be farmer-led. The Farmer Forward toolkit provides a marketing framework and several resources for farmers to market their Farmer Forward commodities.

Program technology

The technology behind Farmer Forward.

Designed as one connected system to focus on the most powerful tools for farmer-led stewardship.

  • 01 · Planning

    AgBizLogic

    Farmers input planned conservation practice data and access decision-making tools for managing risk, evaluating profitability, and sustaining their operations.

  • 02 · Verification platform

    Farmer Forward Verify

    Farmer Forward Verify is an independent, third-party verification platform that documents farmer-led conservation practices down to the geolocated field.

  • 03 · Digital ledger

    Blockchain Records

    Every approved verification is written to a blockchain ledger, which is a digital, permanent, anonymous proof record, where buyers, processors, and consumers can verify land stewardship.

  • 04 · Verified proof, market-ready

    Certificate & QR Code

    Every enrolled farmer gets a certificate, practice page, and scannable QR code, which is verified proof that connects their stewardship to the buyers and consumers who value it.

Program enrolled farmers

Real farmers. Verified practices. Visible stewardship.

Meet the Farmers ›
FarmCommodities enrolled · 2023–2026Verified practices · all yearsRecord
Benson FarmsTaber, IdahoCommodities enrolled · 2023–2026Potatoes, Wheat, BarleyVerified practices · all years328 Conservation Crop Rotation340 Cover Crop590 Nutrient ManagementView record ↗
Diamond K FarmsAmerican Falls, IdahoCommodities enrolled · 2023–2026Potatoes, WheatVerified practices · all years328 Conservation Crop Rotation345 Reduced Till590 Nutrient Management484 MulchingView record ↗
Shasta SeedKlamath Basin, OregonCommodities enrolled · 2023–2026Seed potatoes, GrainVerified practices · all years328 Conservation Crop Rotation340 Cover CropView record ↗
Wray FarmsBlackfoot, IdahoCommodities enrolled · 2023–2026Potatoes, GrainVerified practices · all years329 No-Till340 Cover Crop590 Nutrient ManagementView record ↗

+ 36 more enrolled farms

Sample data · records in progress

  • 328 Conservation Crop Rotation
  • 329 No-Till
  • 340 Cover Crop
  • 345 Reduced Till
  • 484 Mulching
  • 590 Nutrient Management

Program partners

The Farmer Forward program is a result of federal funding, land-grant research, and private technology working together.

The USDA provides funding and policy support through its Advancing Markets for Producers initiative, while Oregon State University leads the research, administers the grant, and delivers technical assistance to enrolled growers. AgBiz Logic supplies the decision-making tools that transform farm practice data into quantified outcomes. The Soil Health Institute brings peer-reviewed measurement standards that give practice claims scientific credibility, and the Global Hemp Innovation Center extends reach into tribal and underserved rural communities. LoCo Lab brings it all to market, operating the program, managing practice verifications, issuing certificates, and telling each farmer's story in a way that connects documented stewardship to the buyers, processors and consumers who value it.

Contact

Get in touch.

Questions about the program, enrollment, or partnering with Farmer Forward? Send us a note and the right person will get back to you.

Submissions go to contact@locolabco.com