Muse 3 Farm in Greensburg was recognized by Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT), a national nonprofit organization that works to ensure that all food-producing animals are raised in a humane and healthy manner, during the “Week of Climate Action” spearheaded by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
The operations recognized by FACT are building organic matter and retaining moisture in their soils through conservation practices such as rotationally grazing their animals and establishing native, perennial plants in their pastures, according to a press release.
Muse 3 Farm is owned and operated by four of the seven Muse brothers: Chris, Allen, Mittie and Burnell. Muse 3 Farm does a little bit of everything, from goats to cows to vegetables, and uses many soil conservation practices that are showing real results.
“By using managed intensive grazing with our animals, we are replacing diminished topsoil. By planting perennials, we are keeping soil in place and water runoff to a minimum. By sowing nitrogen fixing legumes, we are reducing the need for added synthetic fertilizers. The proof is in the pudding: even during a particularly rough drought in 2021 we were able to provide green, grazable pastures for our animals,” said Chris Muse.
To help with their conservation efforts, the farm has received multiple EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) cost share grants and is in the process of applying to participate in the CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program). Chris and his brothers are committed to educating their community about these conservation programs and have a goal of convincing 250 friends and farming neighbors to sign up for federal conservation programs. The success he has seen on his operation is evidence that these programs are important.
To help farms and ranches mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis, FACT supports the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA). This farmer-driven, science-based bill calls for increasing investment in agricultural research, improving soil health, supporting the transition to pasture-based livestock, ensuring farmland preservation and viability, promoting on-farm renewable energy and reducing food waste.
FACT partners with and invests in regenerative livestock and poultry farmers to improve farmer livelihood, animal welfare and ecological health. They offer grants, webinars, conference scholarships and a mentorship program.
