— Charles Walters, Acres U.S.A. founder
For more than 50 years, Acres U.S.A. has helped farmers, ranchers and growers build profitable, resilient operations through ecological agriculture. As North America’s oldest publisher dedicated to production-scale organic and sustainable farming, we connect practical experience with proven ideas for building healthy soil, raising healthy animals and growing nutritious food.
Through our magazine, books, webinars, podcasts, online courses and in-person events, we bring together generations of farmers, researchers, educators and agricultural innovators. Our goal is simple: make practical, trusted knowledge accessible to the people working the land. From time-tested principles to emerging practices, Acres U.S.A. explores agricultural systems that regenerate rather than deplete—strengthening soil, supporting farm profitability and resilience, and contributing to a healthier food system.
More than five decades later, Charles Walters’ guiding principle remains at the heart of our work: to farm economically, we must farm ecologica
Charles Walters grew up on a Kansas farm during the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. These early experiences shaped his lifelong belief that healthy farms begin with healthy soil.
After serving in World War II and earning a master’s degree in economics through the G.I. Bill, Walters watched American agriculture become increasingly dependent on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides — a trend that raised important questions about long-term sustainability.
Influenced by Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and his work with the National Farmers Organization (NFO), Walters began developing a vision for an agriculture rooted in ecology, economics and farmer independence.
Charles Walters launched Acres U.S.A. to give voice to farmers, researchers and thinkers who believed agriculture should work with nature rather than against it. The publication quickly became a gathering place for innovative minds in soil science, agronomy, farm economics, entomology and ecological farming, creating a network of pioneers long before regenerative agriculture became mainstream.
Acres U.S.A. hosted its first annual conference, bringing together farmers and experts from across North America to share practical solutions for building healthier soils and more profitable farms.
Walters helped revive the work of Dr. William Albrecht, the influential University of Missouri soil scientist whose research became a scientific foundation for ecological and biological farming practices.
Acres U.S.A. expanded beyond the magazine to become a leading publisher of ecological farming books, helping bring influential voices and practical agronomic knowledge to generations of farmers and ranchers.
After decades of leadership, Charles Walters passed stewardship of Acres U.S.A.’s magazine, conference and publishing programs to his son, Fred Walters, ensuring continuity of the organization’s mission. In 2016 Acres U.S.A. was acquired by Swift Corporation (now Questor), positioning the company for future growth while preserving its commitment to ecological agriculture.
In December 2023, regenerative farmer and entrepreneur Taylor Henry became owner of Acres U.S.A. Drawing on firsthand experience running a regenerative beef operation in Wisconsin, Henry brought a vision rooted in soil health, biodiversity and profitable farming—building on Charles Walters’ belief that ecological agriculture can strengthen both the land and family farms.
Under Taylor Henry’s leadership, Acres U.S.A. expanded beyond its longstanding magazine, books and conferences, investing in online learning, revitalized archives, new events and media platforms to make ecological farming knowledge more accessible.
More than fifty years after Charles Walters founded Acres U.S.A., its mission remains the same: helping farmers, ranchers and land stewards succeed through ecological agriculture by connecting practical experience with scientific insight—and demonstrating that healthy soil, thriving ecosystems and profitable farms go hand in hand.
