Green Lands Blue Waters
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
Green Lands Blue Waters firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Green Lands Blue Waters
- Legal name
- Green Lands Blue Waters
- Website
- https://greenlandsbluewaters.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Green Lands Blue Waters industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sustainable Agriculture Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Farm Management Services (115116), Support Activities for Animal Production (115210), Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating (115112)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Climate-Smart Farming & GHG Reduction (Emissions Accounting, Methane/N2O Reduction Practices) (AFAGAMAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Regenerative Agriculture & Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) (EUABABAE), Agroforestry & Perennial Cropping Systems (EUABABAD), GHG Accounting & Net-Zero/Decarbonization Planning (Scopes 1–3) (EUAHAJAC)
Keywords
Where Green Lands Blue Waters is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Green Lands Blue Waters business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Grant Funding: Primary funding from government grants including USDA NIFA through North Central Region SARE program, NRCS Equity Conservation Agreement, and other agricultural research grants. Supports collaborative research projects, education programs, and outreach activities.
- Donations: Accepts donations through the University of Minnesota giving platform to support organizational work and mission.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free educational course available on multiple platforms |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Green Lands Blue Waters product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Green Lands Blue Waters (GLBW) is a nonprofit networked organization that promotes Continuous Living Cover (CLC) farming across the Upper Midwest through educational programs, research dissemination, and partnership coordination. Its core offerings include the free CLC 101 online course, the CLC Manual, research publications, and major initiatives such as Match Made in Heaven (livestock-crop integration) and the Equipping Next Gen Ag Leaders mentorship program. GLBW coordinates a network of 50+ partner organizations to enable landscape-scale adoption of five CLC strategies: agroforestry, perennial biomass, perennial forage and grazing, perennial grains, and winter annuals/cover crops with rotations.
Product overview
Green Lands Blue Waters is a networking organization focused on Continuous Living Cover (CLC) farming - agricultural practices that keep soil covered year-round. Rather than a unified software platform, GLBW offers a portfolio of educational products and resources including the CLC 101 Online Course (hosted on four external platforms), the CLC Manual, research publications through Frontiers journals, and analytical tools like the Ecotone Analytics Social Return on Investment analysis. The organization also leads major initiatives including the Match Made in Heaven crop-livestock integration project and the Equipping Next Gen Ag Leaders Mentorship Program, providing case studies, infographics, technical assistance resources, virtual fencing materials, and partial budget frameworks for farmers and conservation professionals across the Upper Midwest.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CLC 101 Online Course A self-paced, free online course for agriculture, conservation, and technical assistance professionals introducing Continuous Living Cover concepts, the five CLC strategies (agroforestry, perennial grains, perennial forage and grazing, perennial biomass, and cover crops), economic and environmental benefits, and farmer communication techniques. The approximately 3-hour course is divided into six modules with quizzes, examples, and resource recommendations.
- CLC Manual A 248-page comprehensive manual covering Continuous Living Cover practices, funding opportunities, perennial forage, cover crops, agroforestry, perennial grains, biomass, livestock integration, and farmer profiles, designed for farmers, educators, and agricultural professionals implementing CLC systems.
- Continuous Living Cover Research Topic (Frontiers Special Journal) A special research topic published through Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems containing 23 open-access research articles by 90 authors, including an editorial that defines and contextualizes the Continuous Living Cover concept for the American Midwest. Available to researchers, policy makers, and practitioners.
- Ecotone Analytics Social Return on Investment Analysis An impact analysis conducted with Ecotone Analytics calculating a Social Return on Investment (SROI) ratio for the Perennial Forage and Grazing strategy, projecting $3.38 in social and environmental value generated for every $1 invested, with benefits quantified for farms, taxpayers, community members, municipal water users, and global society.
- Match Made in Heaven: Livestock + Crops A collaborative three-year, six-state project (Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin) creating resources and opportunities for farmers, educators, crop and livestock organizations, and conservation advocates to engage around crop and livestock integration. Includes case studies, infographics, survey data, partial budget frameworks, and field days across the Upper Midwest.
- Equipping Next Gen Ag and Conservation Professionals Mentorship Program A mentorship program supporting diverse graduate students and emerging leaders in agriculture and conservation across the Upper Midwest. The program includes dedicated mentors, six training sessions, a professional science communications workshop, an in-person retreat with farm visit, farmer perspectives events, and professional networking opportunities. Accepts 24 mentees across two cohorts of 12.
- Crop + Livestock Integration Financials A financial analysis project collecting data from integrated crop and livestock farms using the University of Minnesota's FINPACK system. Includes partial budget and sensitivity analysis framework, webinars, and FINPACK summary reports to help farmers and lenders understand the financial impacts of crop and livestock integration.
- Virtual Fencing 101 Free materials providing an introduction to virtual fencing for NRCS field staff, grazing educators, and conservation professionals, including presentations, fact sheets, webinars, FAQs, and NRCS cost-share information to support technology adoption in grazing operations.
Quantifiable outcome
- SROI of $3.38 per $1 invested in perennial forage and grazing systems (Ecotone Analytics analysis)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Green Lands Blue Waters
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Green Lands Blue Waters technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Green Lands Blue Waters partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The Land InstitutecoreCollaboration on Kernza perennial grain development. The Land Institute, based in Kansas, developed Kernza varieties in partnership with the University of Minnesota's Forever Green Initiative. GLBW supports value chain coordination and market development for this first commercial perennial grain in the U.S.
- Forever Green Initiative (University of Minnesota)coreUniversity of Minnesota program focused on developing and deploying perennial grain crops including Kernza. Co-developed perennial grain varieties and shares research capacity through initiatives like KernzaCAP.
- Savanna InstitutecoreNonprofit focused on agroforestry in the Midwest, providing technical assistance and resources. GLBW refers to their Resource Library with 100+ resources related to perennial agriculture and collaborates on agroforestry initiatives.
- University of Missouri Center for AgroforestryminorAcademic partner providing resources on agroforestry topics including production guides, silvopasture, alley cropping, and technical assistance. GLBW references their resource list as a partner organization.
- Ecotone AnalyticsminorImpact accounting organization that conducted Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis for Perennial Forage and Grazing strategy. Calculated $3.38 SROI per $1 invested in CLC.
- Dr. Akilah Martin - AM Root Builders, Inc.coreCo-host of the Equipping Next Gen Ag Leaders mentorship program. Dr. Martin leads the program alongside GLBW, providing mentorship, training, and professional development for emerging agricultural professionals.
- Practical Farmers of IowaminorFarmer-led organization collaborating on crop and livestock integration projects including the Match Made in Heaven initiative and Crop + Livestock Integration Financials project.
- Intertribal Agriculture CouncilminorProvides technical assistance and support for Native producers across the country. Featured in CLC spotlight series highlighting their work supporting tribal agricultural operations.
- Frontiers in Sustainable Food SystemsminorAcademic journal that published the special CLC Research Topic with 23 articles by 90 authors, providing open-access research on Continuous Living Cover strategies.
- Carbon180minorClimate organization that produced Champions of Agroforestry case studies in the Upper Midwest, featuring farmers merging agriculture and conservation.
- Grassland 2.0coreUSDA-funded SAS-CAP project developing pathways for increased farmer profitability through grassland-based agriculture. GLBW is a partner in this collaborative research and education effort.
- KernzaCAPcoreUSDA-funded Coordinated Agricultural Project focused on developing and deploying Kernza perennial grain to improve environmental quality and rural prosperity.
- RegenPGCcoreUSDA-funded project regenerating working lands through perennial groundcover systems for Midwestern US agriculture.
- Resilience CAP (RCAP)coreUSDA-funded collaborative project improving resilience of agricultural systems through adaptive strategies and encouraging perennials, diversification, and livestock integration.
- American Farmland TrustminorPartner on Midwest Bioenergy Crop Coalition initiative (April 2025) and agricultural conservation efforts.
- University of Minnesota FINPACKminorUniversity financial analysis system used for Crop + Livestock Integration Financials project to collect and analyze farm financial data.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Green Lands Blue Waters competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Savanna Institute: Midwest nonprofit focused on agroforestry research, education, and adoption — one of GLBW's core CLC strategies. They maintain a 100+ resource perennial agriculture library and collaborate directly with GLBW.
- Forever Green Initiative (University of Minnesota): UMN program developing perennial and winter-annual crops for the Upper Midwest, co-developer of Kernza. GLBW and Forever Green share research capacity and serve overlapping farmer and policymaker audiences.
- The Land Institute: Kansas-based research organization that developed Kernza perennial grain in partnership with UMN's Forever Green Initiative. GLBW coordinates Kernza value chain development and market building with The Land Institute.
- American Farmland Trust: National nonprofit focused on farmland conservation and regenerative agriculture. Partnered with GLBW on the Midwest Bioenergy Crop Coalition initiative and broader agricultural conservation efforts in the Upper Midwest.
- Practical Farmers of Iowa: Farmer-led nonprofit based in Iowa that collaborates with GLBW on crop and livestock integration projects including Match Made in Heaven. Both organizations serve Upper Midwest farmers with sustainable agriculture programming and on-farm research.
Broad incumbents
- National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: National policy alliance advancing sustainable agriculture including cover crops, perennial systems, and conservation programs. Operates at federal policy level where GLBW works regionally, with overlapping policy priorities.
- Soil Health Partnership (Soil Health Institute): National initiative advancing soil health practices including cover crops and no-till — concepts that overlap with GLBW's CLC framework. Operates at broader scale with corporate and farmer-cooperator networks.
Emerging players
- Carbon180: Climate nonprofit that produced Champions of Agroforestry case studies in the Upper Midwest featuring farmers merging agriculture and conservation. Works adjacent to GLBW on carbon-sequestering agriculture narratives and policy.
- Pheasants Forever: Wildlife habitat nonprofit that hosts the GLBW CLC 101 course on its Habitat University platform. Overlapping constituency of landowners interested in conservation practices including cover crops and perennial plantings.
- Intertribal Agriculture Council: National nonprofit supporting Native American agricultural producers. Featured in GLBW's CLC spotlight series and provides technical assistance to tribal operations that intersect with CLC practices.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Green Lands Blue Waters social profiles
Digital presenceGreen Lands Blue Waters financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Green Lands Blue Waters leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Green Lands Blue Waters funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Green Lands Blue Waters M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Green Lands Blue Waters
What does Green Lands Blue Waters do?
Green Lands Blue Waters (GLBW) is a nonprofit networked organization that promotes Continuous Living Cover (CLC) farming across the Upper Midwest through educational programs, research dissemination, and partnership coordination. Its core offerings include the free CLC 101 online course, the CLC Manual, research publications, and major initiatives such as Match Made in Heaven (livestock-crop integration) and the Equipping Next Gen Ag Leaders mentorship program. GLBW coordinates a network of 50+ partner organizations to enable landscape-scale adoption of five CLC strategies: agroforestry, perennial biomass, perennial forage and grazing, perennial grains, and winter annuals/cover crops with rotations.
Is Green Lands Blue Waters a public or private company?
Green Lands Blue Waters is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Green Lands Blue Waters founded?
Green Lands Blue Waters was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Green Lands Blue Waters based?
Green Lands Blue Waters is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Green Lands Blue Waters make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Grant Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations.
Who are Green Lands Blue Waters's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Savanna Institute, Forever Green Initiative (University of Minnesota), The Land Institute, American Farmland Trust and Practical Farmers of Iowa. Broad incumbents are National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and Soil Health Partnership (Soil Health Institute). Emerging players are Carbon180, Pheasants Forever and Intertribal Agriculture Council.
Does Green Lands Blue Waters have an API?
No public API is recorded for Green Lands Blue Waters.
What industry is Green Lands Blue Waters in?
Green Lands Blue Waters's product category is Sustainable Agriculture Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAGAMAH, Climate-Smart Farming & GHG Reduction (Emissions Accounting, Methane/N2O Reduction Practices), with a secondary code of EUABABAE, Regenerative Agriculture & Soil Organic Carbon (SOC). Its NAICS code is 11511 and its SIC code is 700.