EcoSun Prairie Farms Inc. was established to demonstrate to agricultural producers, public servants, conservationists, and the general public the potential economic and ecological benefits of establishing grass-based farms on converted cropland on some of the most productive soils in the former tall grass prairie region of central North America.

To advance this goal, EcoSun has leased and is managing a private, working farm (hereafter called “The Prairie Farm”) for the purpose of demonstrating how to make a sustained and earned living from restored grassland and grass products while protecting and enhancing the natural environment. This concept contrasts with most modern agricultural practices and commodities that are less sustainable in the long run because of large fossil fuel inputs for production and distribution, environmental degradation in the form of soil erosion, ground and surface water pollution, biocide residues, and impoverishment of natural resource capital such as biodiversity and soil carbon. Also, much of current agriculture rests on an economic foundation of commodity price supports that are likely to be reduced or even eliminated in the future.

The Prairie Farm promotes the benefits of a working landscape by emphasizing the potential of multifunctional agriculture, defined as the joint production of standard commodities (e.g., food and/or fiber) and ecological services such as clean air and water and high biodiversity (Jordan et al. 2007. Science).

EcoSun Prairie Farms is a South Dakota non-profit corporation formed in April, 2007. It received tax exempt status and classification as a public charity from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in February, 2008.