Wilding (Mad Agriculture)

Mad Agriculture's Wilding program provides market-aligned incentives to farmers and ranchers to convert marginal and subprofitable acres — where costs are high and yields are low — into biodiverse habitat (native prairie, pasture, savanna, silvopasture, or perennial systems), generating ecological value alongside economic value through ecosystem markets and improved farm performance. The long-term vision is to transform 65 million acres into biodiverse corridors over 50 years.

The program targets farmers and ranchers operating regenerative operations with marginal cropland available for conversion. Wilding operates as a partnership-based pilot model rather than an open public application; implementation occurs through strategic collaborations with mission-aligned partners and technical organizations.

The current Wilding Pilot is a three-year effort in Southwest Wisconsin's Driftless Area to construct 1,000 acres of high-diversity prairie, pasture, and savanna on marginal cropland, strategically linking regenerative farms, public lands, and rights-of-way across the Lowery Creek watershed. Whole Foods Market leads a coalition of 20+ mission-aligned brands, plus ten technical partners.

Wilding is currently an invitation/partnership pilot, not an open public application. Farmers and ranchers interested in future phases should contact Mad Agriculture.