Between IH Rise and

Project: IH RISE Hemp Grain and Regenerative Soil Systems: An On Farm Trials
Demonstration
Funding Source: USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants, On Farm Trials, Soil Health
Demonstration priority (NOFO USDA-NRCS-NHQ-CIGOFT-26-NOFO0001447)
Project Duration: September 2026 through 2029

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes a working relationship between IH
RISE ("the Awardee") and

with a

for participation in a Soil Health Demonstration project funded through the USDA NRCS
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On Farm Trials program. This project supports
implementation and evaluation of a Soil Health Management System (SHMS) on the Producer's
land, with technical assistance and incentive payments provided by the Awardee.

This MOU is intended to document mutual intent to participate. It is not a binding contract and
does not obligate either party to specific incentive amounts until a final agreement is executed.
The Producer does not enter into a contract with NRCS directly; all incentive payments and
technical assistance flow through the Awardee.

To receive incentive payments under this project, the Producer must meet Environmental
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) eligibility requirements, including the following.

The Producer must be in compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation
provisions. The Producer must be an individual, legal entity, joint operation, Indian tribe, or
native corporation engaged in agricultural production, or must have an interest in the agricultural
operation as defined by USDA regulation. The Producer must have control of the land involved
for the full term of this project. The Producer's adjusted gross income (AGI) must not exceed
$900,000, unless a case by case waiver is granted by USDA for environmentally sensitive land
of special significance.

The Awardee will work with NRCS to confirm the Producer's eligibility and AGI compliance
before any incentive payment is disbursed. This eligibility check is required for every producer
prior to receiving funds.

The Producer agrees to the following.

Allow implementation of the identified soil health management practices on the agreed acreage for the duration of the project. Provide the Awardee and its partners access to the land for data collection, monitoring, and evaluation activities, including soil sampling and site visits. Provide historical farming and management information for the site, including a minimum of five years of prior tillage, crop rotation, nutrient application, and other management history where available, since this history is required to assess long term soil health impacts. Participate in baseline and ongoing data collection activities as requested, which may include soil health lab testing, yield data, and other production records relevant to the evaluation. Notify the Awardee of any change in circumstances that could affect eligibility, including a change in land control or AGI status. Participate in at least one project related outreach activity, such as a field day, to help share results with other producers, if requested.

Incentive payments will be provided to the Producer to help offset the cost and risk of adopting new soil health practices. Incentives may include a combination of cash payments and equipment or supplies, however federal requirements mandate that a portion of every incentive must be cash. The specific composition, amount, and payment schedule will be detailed in a separate incentive agreement once the project scope is finalized.

Incentive payments under this project do not count toward the Producer's EQIP payment limitation. The Awardee is responsible for confirming that the Producer has not already received or been contracted to receive funding through another USDA or NRCS program for the same practice, since duplicative payments are not permitted.

Because this project falls under the Soil Health Demonstration priority, additional data requirements apply. The Producer understands and agrees to the following.

Geospatial location information, soil test data, conservation practice data, and related farm management information will be collected and submitted to an NRCS provided federal data system. This information will be maintained in a confidential federal database. Aggregated findings, without personally identifiable information, may be made available to the public. No individually identifiable database information will be shared publicly without the Producer's consent.

However, the Producer's name and the amount of any incentive payments received are subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), consistent with federal reporting requirements for this program.

This MOU remains in effect for the duration of the project period described above, unless terminated earlier by mutual written agreement. Either party may withdraw from this MOU with written notice, though the Awardee will work with the Producer to minimize disruption to ongoing data collection where possible.

By signing below, both parties acknowledge their understanding of and intent to participate in this project as described above.

Awardee Representative Name: IH RISE 

This document is endorced by Kelly Burke, Founder of IH RISE