Strengthening Community Connections in the Regenerative Poultry Value Chain

1. Strengthening Affinity Groups and Farmer Learning Circles

Since September 2023, monthly farmer affinity meetings have maintained consistent engagement, with a total participation count of 148 attendees across all sessions and 34 unique individuals. Attendance has fluctuated from a high of 15 participants to a lower turnout of 5 participants, reflecting seasonal demands on farmers but demonstrating an ongoing commitment to these meetings.

A key feature of the meetings is the farmer-led structure, with core members attending regularly, setting the agenda, and leading projects such as bulk purchasing across farms, equipment sharing, shadowing other farmers, among other initiatives. Value-chain partners have been invited to these monthly farmer meetings as needed to address specific challenges. For example, representatives from A Greener World (AGW), processing plant staff, and other agricultural specialists have participated in some meetings to offer needed insights on certification, market access, and supply chain logistics. 

This flexible approach has increased the relevance of the meetings to ensure that farmers receive direct support while maintaining autonomy in shaping their discussions. Further, the sustained engagement over time highlights the importance of the meetings in fostering peer learning, trust, and shared governance within the regenerative poultry network. By providing a space where farmers can discuss concerns, clarify uncertainties, and collaboratively develop strategies, these gatherings have become an essential tool for organizing across this community of regenerative poultry farmers. 

The worker affinity group met once at the Poultry Convergence in 2024. The seasonality of the plant and the challenges of being in early stages of operation have led to high employee turnover. The plant will resume operating this Spring as will efforts to convene workers. 

Thus, affinity groups have played a key role in building a support system among farmers, allowing them to collectively troubleshoot issues such as market access, financial viability, and production challenges. However, incorporating processing workers into governance conversations remains a challenge due to workplace constraints. 

2. Impact of Farmer Learning Circles on Knowledge Sharing

Over the course of the project so far, six farmer learning circles were conducted at different locations, with a total participation of 92 attendees and 64 unique individuals. 4 of the learning circles were hosted on-farm, 1 learning circle was hosted at a community center paired with lunch after a visit to the poultry processor. 1 of the learning circles was conducted virtually. These sessions provided opportunities for farmers, aspiring farmers, and processing plant workers to exchange knowledge, troubleshoot challenges, and strengthen relationships within the regenerative poultry supply chain.

Each learning circle varied in attendance, with participation ranging from small, focused gatherings to larger, more interactive events. This variation highlights both the growing interest in peer learning and the need for continued outreach to ensure broader participation.

Some emerging themes from the learning circle include:

• Production Challenges and Adaptations: Farmers discussed their experiences with weather-related mortality, feed adjustments, and rotational grazing strategies. For example, at one farm, farmers discussed concerns about unexpected losses due to cold weather, while at another learning circle, discussions centered around balancing labor efficiency with maintaining high animal welfare standards.

• Labor Practices and Ethical Treatment: Conversations emphasized respect and care in poultry handling, with farmers exchanging techniques for humane chicken catching and processing. Workers, in conversation with farmers, contrasted these practices with conventional industrial farms, noting the stark differences in treatment.

• Economic Considerations and Market Access: Farmers openly discussed financial struggles, the need for better compensation structures, and ways to improve market viability. At one of the farms, attendees highlighted how insurance policies and feed costs pose financial risks to small-scale regenerative farms.

• Regenerative Agriculture Principles and Adaptability in Implementation: Farmers adapted regenerative principles to their specific farm contexts. For instance, at one farm, the farmer integrated amaranth into his poultry system, a practice not typically included in the current regenerative poultry model but culturally significant for some Central American farmers.

• Governance and Supply Chain Transparency: Learning circles served as a space for dialogue between farmers and other supply chain partners, allowing them to address logistical concerns such as feed quality, processing efficiency, and supply chain decision-making. For example, at one of the learning circles, farmers and processing workers discussed issues related to bird transport and pre-slaughter feeding protocols, leading to on-the-ground adjustments in practices.

Post-event survey results indicate that the farmer learning circles were well received, with 94% of participants reporting they were "very satisfied" with the events. Participants highlighted the value of peer-to-peer learning and open discussions, particularly appreciating opportunities to troubleshoot challenges together and exchange practical strategies for poultry handling, feed management, and regenerative system adaptation. In-person gatherings were seen as crucial for building relationships and fostering a sense of community. While 76% of respondents gained "a lot" of new knowledge and 82% were likely or very likely to apply these insights to their own farming practices, perceptions of ownership in decision-making varied. Some farmers felt empowered to make informed choices, while others expressed concerns about their level of influence over supply chain structures. Additionally, several participants suggested increasing attendance, incorporating more farmer storytelling, and improving outreach methods to strengthen engagement. Overall, the learning circles reinforced the importance of collaboration, shared knowledge, and relationship-building within the regenerative poultry community.

3. Database of Policies and Programs 

The database of funding opportunities has been compiled, listing 36 of the most relevant state and federal programs relevant to the regenerative poultry community in the Upper Midwest. Although RAA staff have reported that this has been an important tool for them to identify relevant programs, direct farmer use of the tool has been low. And while the database does increase awareness of funding opportunities, bureaucratic complexities remain a challenge for farmers doing sustainable agriculture, especially immigrant farmers. As the project progresses, we will continue to work with RAA to edit this database in line with the evolving needs of the community and the changing political climate. 

4. Farmer and Worker Perspectives 

Regenerative Poultry Farmers

Based on interviews so far, farmers currently engaged in regenerative poultry production face both successes and persistent challenges as they implement silvopasture practices in their operations. Many reported improvements in soil health and animal welfare. Further, they shared that, as a collective, their data tracking systems have improved over the last few years. As one farmer noted, “I feel like every year we make a little bit of progress on just getting better data tracking systems. And I think that we continued that progress really well last season and I’m really stoked to keep getting better at that this season.”  

However, difficulties such as unpredictable weather, high propane costs, and inefficiencies in feed delivery persist. Farmers also raised concerns about transparency in decision-making across the supply chain, particularly regarding funding allocations, pricing, and RAA and Tree-Range (the company that markets the birds) policies affecting farm operations. Systemic disparities in access to resources, infrastructure, and technical support led to frustration, particularly among Latine farmers, who emphasized the need for equitable representation and financial assistance. As one farmer shared, “They denied me loans because it was a government program, and it made me see the inequality faced by people of our race and color.” Many farmers expressed that while this project’s investment in monthly meetings and learning circles was valuable, they need even more community development and engagement as a community. They desire stronger community networks, better training, and more structured decision-making mechanisms, such as formalized farmer governance bodies, to ensure their voices are included in shaping the supply chain. As one farmer suggested, “It'd be super cool if the Convergence could be a mechanism during which we get to chat together and vote on certain key things that do affect all of the farmers… [for example] things like organic versus non-organic."

Processing Plant Workers

Similarly, during interviews with workers at the Stacyville Processing Plant, we learned about the benefits of working at small-scale organic meat processing as well as some of the persistent challenges. Workers said they appreciated the camaraderie among their diverse team and the opportunity to connect with regenerative farming practices. As one worker explained, “We may not speak the same language or whatever, but... you get to know the people, you know, and you get to have your own form of communication.” Some workers also expressed admiration for the regenerative farms supplying the plant, with one sharing, “It’s pretty cool what they're doing up there… I grew up on a farm, I know about all this lovely stuff… I was so impressed both times I went up there that… There was no dead birds. They were happy, happy, happy birds.”

However, some of the challenges mentioned included unreliable equipment and a lack of formalized worker representation. One worker described the strain caused by faulty equipment: “The machine that used to be like… you could do eight chickens at a time, and now we're using another vacuum machine that is only one at a time.” Many workers reported physical strain from malfunctioning tools and outdated machinery, as well as a need for clearer communication and training for new hires. “When I started, I didn’t know much, and it was overwhelming without proper guidance.” When asked about the idea of affinity groups and structured feedback mechanisms, workers expressed cautious optimism, but there is a need for clearer guidance on how these initiatives would function. “I’d have to know more about it… I’m not sure what you would even talk about or say at something like that.” This research will continue to examine how farmers and workers navigate these challenges and what mechanisms—whether through affinity groups, cooperative governance models, or expanded farmer-to-farmer networks—can foster more just and resilient supply chains. Moving forward, I aim to further engage workers and farmers in co-developing solutions that ensure their participation and well-being are central to the future of regenerative poultry.

5. Comparison to Conventional Systems

Regenerative poultry systems offer a promising alternative to conventional industrial models by prioritizing ecological sustainability, animal welfare, and farmer collaboration, yet farmers and workers continue to navigate challenges within these evolving systems. Unlike contract farmers in conventional poultry production, regenerative farmers have more autonomy but still face financial pressures, resource limitations, and uncertainties around decision-making processes. Processing plant workers, while benefiting from a strong sense of community and alignment with the values of regenerative agriculture, experience ongoing difficulties with seasonal employment, equipment maintenance, and communication within the workplace. Despite these challenges, both farmers and workers remain committed to improving the system, advocating for more transparent governance, stronger worker representation, and solutions that ensure long-term stability and equity. Their efforts reflect a growing movement to refine regenerative poultry practices in ways that better support the people working within them, and this research will continue to explore pathways for strengthening these systems to align with their social and environmental goals.