Regenerative farming
Training and field support for cover crops, reduced tillage, crop rotation, composting and managed grazing.
Terrava Foundation · Nonprofit technology for farmers
Technology that helps farmers heal the soil and earn more.
Terrava builds and shares practical tools that help farmers in the United States, Africa, Asia and Latin America move to regenerative farming, rebuild soil fertility, raise their income, reach carbon markets and grow trees back on their land. Grants and donations keep the tools free or low-cost for the farmers who need them most.
Regenerative farmingSoil fertilityFarmer incomeCarbon creditsAgroforestry
Field 3 · maize after cover cropExample view
Soil moisture31%in range
Organic matter2.4%+0.3 this year
Carbon est.1.1 tCO₂e / ha
Rain expected Thursday. Sow the legume cover in Zone B before then.
Illustration of the farmer app. Figures are sample data.
Why it matters
The world's food depends on the soil under small farms.
570M+
farms worldwide, and most of them are small family farms.
≈ 1/3
of the world's food is grown by smallholder farmers.
Up to 40%
of the planet's land is already degraded.
Sources: FAO, The State of Food and Agriculture 2014; FAO, Which farms feed the world? (2021); UNCCD, Global Land Outlook 2nd ed. (2022).
What we do
Six ways we help farmers and the planet.
Every program pairs on-the-ground support with a tool farmers can keep using after we leave.
Soil fertility
Low-cost soil testing and clear, local advice on restoring nutrients and organic matter.
Higher farmer income
Lower input costs, better yields and links to buyers who pay more for sustainably grown crops.
Carbon credits
Measurement and verification tools that help smallholder groups earn income from the carbon they store.
Agroforestry and forestation
Planting the right trees on farms and degraded land for shade, fruit, timber, water and carbon.
Climate resilience
Weather alerts and water planning in every tool, so farms can ride out drought, floods and heat.
See all programs →
Our technology
How our technology works →
Simple tools built for the farm, not the lab.
Soil sensors, satellite monitoring and an advisory app that works by smartphone, SMS or voice, in local languages. Behind them, a carbon measurement platform that lets small farms be counted.
Soil sensors
Low-cost probes for moisture, temperature and nutrients.
Satellite monitoring
Crop health, tree cover and land change from space.
Farmer advisory app
Practical, local advice by app, SMS or voice.
Carbon platform
Measurement, reporting and verification for carbon credits.
How it works
From the first soil test to a fairer income.
1
Measure
We map each farm and test the soil to set a clear baseline.
2
Advise
Farmers get a practice plan and ongoing advice through the app.
3
Support
Grants cover seed, seedlings, sensors and training during the switch.
4
Reward
Verified results open doors to carbon income and better markets.
Where we work
One mission, four regions.
Soil loss and climate stress look different on every continent. Our tools adapt to local crops, languages and markets.
United States
Regenerative transitions, soil carbon and cover crops with family and mid-sized farms.
Africa
Smallholder soil fertility, agroforestry and SMS advisory for farmer cooperatives.
Asia
Soil health, water planning and carbon income for rice, vegetable and mixed farms.
Latin America
Agroforestry, coffee and cocoa landscapes, and forest restoration on farm edges.
A note from our founder
"Farmers carry the weight of feeding the world and protecting its land, yet they're often the last to get the tools that could help. Terrava exists to change that: to put good technology in every farmer's hands and let them share in the value of healthier soil."
— Lalit Gautam, Founder, Terrava Foundation
Funding the work
Every gift and grant goes to farmers and the tools they use.
Individual donors
One-time or monthly gifts fund soil tests, seedlings and training for farm families.
Donate →Foundations and grant-makers
Fund a program, a region or our open technology. We report on every grant.
Grant partnerships →Companies
Support farmers in your supply chain, sponsor tree planting or match employee gifts.
Corporate partnerships →Help a farmer grow healthier soil and a better living.
About Terrava Foundation
A nonprofit technology organization for farmers.
We believe the people who grow the world's food should have the best tools to care for their land and earn a fair living. So we build those tools and bring them to farmers who need them most.
Our mission
Build climate-resilient farming communities.
We combine environmental action with sustainable livelihoods, education, health and inclusive economic opportunity, using practical technology to help farmers restore their soil, raise their income and protect the climate.
Our vision
Thriving farms on a healthier planet.
A world where every farm, however small, can measure its soil, plan for the weather, be paid for the carbon it stores and pass on richer land to the next generation.
Why a nonprofit tech organization
Tools should reach the farmers who need them, not just the ones who can pay.
Most agricultural technology is built for large farms in wealthy markets. Terrava is set up as a nonprofit so we can build for smallholders first, keep our tools affordable or free, and share our data and methods openly.
Our values
What guides our work.
Farmers first
We design with farmers, test on real farms and measure success by their income and soil.
Open by default
We share methods, findings and, where we can, our software, so others can build on it.
Honest measurement
Every claim about soil, carbon or income is backed by data we can show.
Regenerative principles
Four rules behind every practice plan.
Keep soil covered
Mulch, residue and cover crops protect soil from sun, wind and rain.
Disturb it less
Less tillage protects soil structure and the life inside it.
Keep roots growing
Living roots for as much of the year as possible feed the soil.
Grow diversity
Rotations, mixed crops, trees and livestock make farms stronger.
Leadership
The people behind Terrava.
Lalit Gautam
Founder
Lalit founded Terrava Foundation in 2026 to bring practical agricultural technology to farmers who are usually left out of it, and to make sure they share in the value of healthier soil, more trees and stored carbon.
Join our board and advisory council
We're inviting agronomists, soil and climate scientists, technologists, farmer leaders and nonprofit finance experts to guide our work. Interested? Write to admin@terrava.org.
Accountability
Our promise to donors and funders.
Annual report
Every year we publish what we spent, where, and what changed for farmers.
Grant reporting
Funders get regular updates with field data, photos and farmer stories.
Responsible carbon
Carbon results follow recognized standards, with income shared fairly with farmers.
Organization details
Terrava Foundation is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation (entity no. B20260377154, incorporated August 18, 2026), organized for charitable purposes within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3).
Join us in building a better future for farmers.
Programs
Six programs, one goal: better soil and better lives.
Our programs run with local partners, farmer groups and cooperatives in the United States, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Each one combines training, funding and technology.
01
Regenerative Farming Transition
We help farmers switch to practices that rebuild soil while keeping harvests steady. Lead farmers train their neighbors on demonstration plots.
- Field schools and demonstration plots
- Cover crop and compost starter kits
- Step-by-step practice plans in the app
02
Soil Health and Fertility
Low-cost soil testing gives every farmer a clear picture of their soil and a plan to improve it without overspending on fertilizer.
- Soil sampling and sensor-based testing
- Nutrient and organic matter plans
- Yearly retesting to track progress
03
Farmer Income and Market Access
Healthier soil cuts costs. We also help farmer groups sell better, by connecting them with buyers and fair prices for sustainably grown crops.
- Input cost and yield tracking
- Market prices and buyer connections
- Support for cooperatives and farmer groups
04
Carbon Credits for Smallholders
Small farms are often left out of carbon markets because measuring them is too costly. Our platform makes it affordable, so groups of farmers can earn from the carbon they store.
- Soil and tree carbon measurement
- Digital reporting and verification
- Fair, transparent sharing of carbon income
05
Agroforestry and Forestation
We help farmers plant and care for trees that fit their land: fruit and nut trees, shade trees, windbreaks and native species on degraded land.
- Community tree nurseries
- Species planning for each farm and climate
- Satellite tracking of tree survival and growth
06
Climate Resilience and Water
Local weather alerts, water planning and drought-ready practices help farms survive bad seasons and recover faster.
- Weather and pest alerts by SMS and app
- Water harvesting and irrigation planning
- Climate-ready seed and crop choices
Community tree nurseries
Every tree starts as a seedling someone cares for.
Farmer groups run nurseries that raise seedlings suited to their climate. They plant them on their own farms and sell the surplus, which adds a new source of income.
Fund seedlings →Fund a program in the region you care about.
Technology
Tech that works on a two-acre farm.
Our tools are designed to be cheap, rugged and simple. They work offline, on basic phones and in local languages, so they reach the farmers who need them most.
The Terrava stack
From the soil to the carbon market.
Four connected layers turn what happens in the field into advice for farmers and proof for funders.
Layer 1 · In the soilSoil sensors
Low-cost, solar-powered probes record moisture, temperature and nutrient levels, and send readings over mobile networks.
Layer 2 · From aboveSatellite and remote sensing
Satellite images track crop health, ground cover, tree growth and land change across every enrolled field.
Layer 3 · In the farmer's handAdvisory app, SMS and voice
Data becomes simple advice: when to plant, what to sow, how much to water. It works offline and in local languages.
Layer 4 · For markets and fundersCarbon and impact platform
Measurement, reporting and verification of soil and tree carbon, plus impact dashboards for every grant.
Our tools
What each tool does for farmers.
| Tool | What it does | What farmers gain |
|---|---|---|
| Soil sensors | Measure moisture, temperature and nutrients in the field | Water and fertilize only when needed |
| Satellite monitoring | Track crop health, tree cover and land use over time | Early warning of problems, proof of progress |
| Advisory app | Turn data and weather into simple daily advice | Better decisions, fewer losses |
| Carbon platform | Measure, report and verify carbon stored in soil and trees | Access to carbon income |
| Market link | Share prices and connect farmer groups with buyers | Higher, fairer prices |
How we build
Design rules for every Terrava tool.
Affordable
Free or low-cost for smallholders, paid for by grants and donations.
Works anywhere
Offline first, on basic phones, by SMS and voice.
Local languages
Advice in the languages farmers speak, shaped with local agronomists.
Farmers own their data
Farm data belongs to farmers. We never sell it.
Help us put these tools on more farms.
Partner with us
Fund farmers. Grow forests. Back open technology.
We work with foundations, governments, companies and NGOs that want measurable results for farmers and the climate.
Ways to partner
Choose how you want to make a difference.
Program grants
Fund one of our six programs in a region or country you care about.
- Clear goals and budget
- Regular field reports
Technology grants
Fund the development of our open tools: sensors, app, satellite and carbon platform.
- Open methods and code
- Shared learning
Trees and carbon projects
Co-fund agroforestry and soil carbon projects with farmer groups.
- Satellite-tracked planting
- Fair carbon income sharing
Corporate partnerships
Support regenerative farming in your supply chain or sponsor tree planting.
- Supply chain programs
- Employee giving and matching
Implementation partners
NGOs, cooperatives and research institutes can run programs with our tools.
- Training on our platform
- Joint research
Volunteers and experts
Agronomists, engineers, data scientists and designers can give their skills.
- Remote and field roles
- Mentoring farmers
What funders receive
Concept note
A short proposal shaped around your goals and region.
Impact dashboard
Live view of farms, soil, trees and carbon in your program.
Regular reports
Field updates, financial reports and farmer stories.
Prefer email? Write to admin@terrava.org.
Prefer to give personally?
Donate
Donate
Your gift grows healthier soil.
Donations pay for soil tests, seedlings, sensors and training for farmers who couldn't afford them otherwise.
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See where your gift goes →What gifts can support
$25
A soil test and a personal soil plan for one farm.
$50
Tree seedlings for a family farm's first agroforestry plot.
$100
A farmer's place in a season-long field school.
$250
A soil sensor shared by a farmer group.
Examples are illustrative. Actual costs vary by country.
Give by check or bank transfer
Make checks payable to Terrava Foundation and mail to:
Terrava Foundation24 Union Square #528
Union City, CA 94587
United States
For bank transfers, stock gifts or donor-advised fund grants, email admin@terrava.org.
More ways to give
Other ways to support Terrava.
Employer matching
Many employers match gifts. Ask yours to double your impact.
Stock and donor-advised funds
Give appreciated stock or recommend a grant from your fund.
Legacy gifts
Include Terrava Foundation in your will and leave richer land behind.
Fundraise for us
Start a birthday, run or company campaign for farmers.
Terrava Foundation is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation (entity no. B20260377154) organized for charitable purposes under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Every gift receives an email receipt with the information needed for your records.
Contact
Let's talk.
Questions about donating, partnering, our technology or bringing Terrava to your farmers? We'd like to hear from you.
Email
admin@terrava.org
Mailing addressTerrava Foundation
24 Union Square #528
Union City, CA 94587
United States
24 Union Square #528
Union City, CA 94587
United States
Response time
We reply within two business days.
Where we work
United States · Africa · Asia · Latin America
FAQ
Common questions.
Is Terrava a nonprofit?
Yes. Terrava Foundation is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation organized for charitable purposes under section 501(c)(3). We have no owners or shareholders, and our income goes back into programs and tools for farmers.
Why does a nonprofit build technology?
Most farm technology is built for large, wealthy farms. As a nonprofit we can design for smallholders first and keep our tools free or low-cost, paid for by grants and donations.
Where do you work?
We work with farmer groups and local partners in the United States, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Contact us if you'd like to bring Terrava to farmers in your country.
How do carbon credits help farmers?
When farmers store carbon in their soil and trees, that carbon can be measured, verified and sold as credits. Our platform makes measuring small farms affordable, and the income is shared fairly and transparently with farmers.
How is my donation used?
Gifts fund soil testing, seedlings, sensors, training and the tools farmers use. We publish an annual report showing how money was spent and what changed.
Who owns the farm data?
Farmers do. We use data only to give advice and measure results, and we never sell it.
Legal
Privacy policy
How Terrava Foundation collects, uses and protects your information. Effective November 6, 2026.
Terrava Foundation ("Terrava", "we", "us") is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation located at 24 Union Square #528, Union City, CA 94587, United States. This policy explains what personal information we collect through terrava.org and our programs, why we collect it and the choices you have.
Information we collect
- Information you give us: your name, email address, country, organization and messages when you contact us, partner with us or sign up for updates.
- Donation information: gift amount, frequency, dedication and billing details. Card and bank details are handled by our payment processor and are never stored on our servers.
- Usage information: basic technical data such as browser type, pages visited and approximate location, collected through cookies and similar tools to keep the site working and improve it.
- Farmer program data: for farmers enrolled in our programs, farm, soil, sensor and satellite data collected with their consent to provide advice and measure results.
How we use information
- To process donations, send receipts and keep required financial records.
- To reply to messages and manage partnerships and grants.
- To send field updates and newsletters if you ask for them.
- To run, secure and improve our website and tools.
- To deliver farmer programs and report impact to funders, using aggregated or anonymized data wherever possible.
How we share information
We do not sell or rent personal information. We share it only with service providers who help us operate (such as payment processing, email and hosting), with program partners where needed to deliver services, or when required by law. Farm data belongs to the farmer and is never sold.
Your choices and rights
You can unsubscribe from emails at any time using the link in each message. You can ask us to access, correct or delete your personal information by writing to admin@terrava.org. Depending on where you live, including California and the European Economic Area, you may have additional rights under local law, and we will honor them.
International visitors
We are based in the United States and work with farmers and supporters worldwide. Information you provide may be processed in the United States and other countries where our partners operate, with appropriate safeguards.
Security and retention
We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information. We keep it only as long as needed for the purposes above or as required by law, such as donation records for tax purposes.
Children
Our website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their personal information.
Changes and contact
We may update this policy and will post the new version here with its effective date. Questions? Email admin@terrava.org or write to Terrava Foundation, 24 Union Square #528, Union City, CA 94587, USA.
Legal
Terms of use
The rules for using the Terrava Foundation website. Effective November 6, 2026.
By using terrava.org, you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the site.
Use of the site
You may use this site for lawful, personal and non-commercial purposes. You agree not to misuse the site, interfere with its operation, attempt unauthorized access or submit false information.
Content and trademarks
The Terrava name, logo, text, illustrations and other content on this site belong to Terrava Foundation or its licensors. You may share our content for non-commercial purposes with credit to Terrava Foundation. Any other use needs our written permission.
Information on this site
We work to keep information accurate and current, but it is provided "as is" for general information. Farming guidance on this site is general in nature and is not a substitute for local professional advice.
Donations
Donations are governed by our donation policy.
Links to other sites
We are not responsible for the content or practices of websites we link to.
Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent allowed by law, Terrava Foundation is not liable for indirect or consequential damages arising from use of this site.
Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, United States, without regard to conflict-of-law rules.
Contact
Questions about these terms? Email admin@terrava.org.
Legal
Donation policy
How we accept, use and account for gifts. Effective November 6, 2026.
Use of gifts
Unrestricted gifts are used where they are needed most across our programs and technology. When you direct a gift to a program or region, we use it for that purpose. If a designated purpose becomes fully funded or no longer possible, we will apply the gift to the closest related purpose.
Receipts and records
Every donor receives an email receipt showing the amount and date of the gift. Please keep it for your records. Terrava Foundation is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation organized under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3); please consult your tax adviser about the deductibility of your gift.
Recurring gifts
Monthly gifts continue until you cancel. You can change or cancel a recurring gift at any time by emailing admin@terrava.org.
Refunds
If you made a gift in error, email admin@terrava.org within 30 days and we will refund it.
Donor privacy
We never sell, rent or trade donor information. You can ask to be listed as anonymous in any public report. See our privacy policy.
Gift acceptance
We may decline gifts that conflict with our mission or values, or that come with conditions we cannot meet.
Payment security
Online payments are processed by a secure, PCI-compliant payment provider. Terrava never stores full card numbers.