programs
programs at a glance
EDUCATION
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Grounding agricultural education in working environments empowers our youth to cultivate a more sustainable future. We transform our fields and intensive production gardens into living classrooms, where students engage directly with the science, commerce, and stewardship essential for a resilient food system, and where applied education builds confidence, community pride, and belief in making a change.
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We equip high-school interns with the technical skills and hands-on experience needed to thrive in today's evolving food systems. These jobs are hard work that stretch self-responsibility, test real-world communication, and grow confidence through contributions to actual economic outcomes. Cultivating a talent pipeline of future leaders strengthens our rural economies and protects the sustainability of the land.
INNOVATION
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In 2015, Rusted Gate Farm planted more than 700 white oak trees that were treated with the fungus which produces the prized European Black Truffle. As efforts continue, this trial aims to model how limited acreage can be used to boost income by cultivating high-value, niche crops. These trials serve as a de-risked blueprint for creating a more diverse, profitable, and sustainable agriculture future.
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RGF is testing the grain known as Kernza for its potential use as drought-tolerant cattle forage. The ultimate goal is to help producers adapt to water scarcity and increasingly unpredictable climates. By evaluating performance in real-world conditions, we identify options that improve efficiency, sustain livestock nutrition, and reduce pressure on limited water resources. This work turns environmental challenges into practical tools for resilience, helping working lands—and the herds they support—thrive over time.
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By integrating virtual fencing and systematically managing herd genetics, we improve land stewardship to reduce emissions, safeguard ecosystems, and produce healthy food for the community. We implement regenerative practices that are intentional and adaptive, keys for climate resilience and biodiversity.
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Working through the complex challenges of regulations, zoning, and financial hurdles, Rusted Gate Farm helped to reintroduce USDA-inspected livestock slaughter, which had disappeared over 30 years ago. Developed in partnership with a local operator, the facility blends the flexibility and cost savings of a mobile unit with the capacity of permanent infrastructure. This unique model lowers costs and boosts efficiency, expanding market access for regional ranchers, while building a more resilient local food system.
COMMUNITY
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Our farm stand and U-Pick flower garden serve as gathering spaces that connect our fields with our neighbors. Visitors can find fresh-picked vegetables, pasture-raised eggs, high-quality hay, and premium beef—each rooted in the values of our farm. The farm stand also serves as a direct retail outlet for other regional producers to trial products, test markets, and grow their businesses. Revenue generated through sales helps sustain Rusted Gate Farm’s broader programs and community-focused initiatives, reinvesting back into the land, education, and charitable work that define our mission.
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Through peer gatherings and symposiums hosted in our modern facilities, we share findings that drive a more profitable and resilient regional food system. Through outreach and partnerships—including work that helped identify the lack of local USDA slaughter capacity—we stay closely connected to the most pressing challenges, serving as a voice and advocate to move people, initiatives, and ideas toward real solutions.
Watch, Listen, & Read Our Stories from the Field