The HayRite network · Apply to join

Growers, advisors, researchers, and storytellers building the US story of biological hay preservation.

A peer network with skin in the game. Bring HayRite to your circle, share in every cutting that follows, and help build the data that makes the next ten thousand cuttings better than the last.

Apply to join How it works

Four identities. One network.

You don't have to fit one box. The network includes growers who post on YouTube, advisors who run their own research, researchers who help neighbors with hay, and storytellers who put up their own bales. Pick what fits — pick more than one — when you apply.

No. 01

Grower

you grow hay or operate a dairy

The applicator and the buyer rolled into one. You treat hay at the swather or feed treated forage. Your neighbors trust you because they know your operation. The network turns that trust into earnings.

Earn: 10% Year 1, 5% renewals, on every gallon you bring to the network.

No. 02

Advisor

you advise growers or dairies

Consulting nutritionist, feed-company specialist, agronomist. Your recommendations carry weight because your clients pay for them. The network gives you data to back those recommendations and earnings on what they buy.

Earn: 10% / 5% with disclosure to clients — or technical-only path with no commission.

No. 03

Researcher

you research forage or ruminant nutrition

University extension specialist or animal-science researcher. Your published work and peer presentations carry credibility no commercial actor can replicate. The network funds your work and grows with the science you publish.

Earn: Research Field Funding tied to regional adoption — not per-sale commission. Protects your standing.

No. 04

Storyteller

you reach a producer audience online

Farm influencer, ag YouTuber, podcast host, regional newsletter author, hay-broker website. Your audience listens because you've spent years building that trust. The network turns your content into earnings while bringing real science to your community.

Earn: 10% / 5% with bonus tiers at 5 / 25 / 100 sales. FTC #ad disclosure required.

How the network works.

Three steps. Real review by a real human at the second one. Real money at the third.

Apply

Fill out the application below. Tell us who you are, where you're based, and what kind of audience or circle you reach. Takes about five minutes.

Get approved and onboarded

A real human reads each application. Approval typically within 5 business days. You receive your unique referral link, code, and the marketing-asset library — datasheets, photos, FTC-compliant disclosure templates.

Start sharing — and earning

Share your link or code. Track attribution and commission in your member dashboard. Payouts monthly via direct deposit or check. Researchers follow a separate Field Funding workflow administered through your institution.

What you earn.

Three roles operate on a standard affiliate commission model. Researchers operate on a Research Field Funding model that protects academic credibility while still scaling with regional adoption.

Identity

Year 1

Renewal & bonus

Grower

10% commission on attributed Year 1 sales

5% on renewals · 12% above 50 sales · 15% above 200

Advisor

10% with client disclosure · or technical-only no-commission path

5% on renewals · same tier upgrades

Researcher

Base research grant ($40-80K) · field expansion funding at 50 / 100 / 200 / 500 producer adoption

Publication honoraria · speaker honoraria (all publicly disclosed)

Storyteller

10% on attributed Year 1 sales · sign-up bonus on first 5 sales

5% on renewals · 12% above 50 · 15% above 200

Why researchers are different. Per-sale commission paid to a published researcher creates a documented financial conflict that compromises the academic credibility their endorsement is built on. The Research Field Funding model gives researchers meaningful upside aligned with regional adoption — the same incentive — without the per-sale attribution that triggers institutional COI flags. Funds are paid into the lab account for follow-on research, not personal compensation. This is the same model NIH and USDA use for industry-academic partnerships.

The application

Apply to join the network.

Tell us who you are. Real review by a real human within 5 business days. We'll respond either way — approvals come with onboarding details and your unique referral code; declines come with an explanation and an invitation to apply again later.

First name

Last name

Phone

Operation, firm, or institution

Where you're based

How would you describe your work? — pick all that fit

role-growerI grow hay or operate a dairyrole-advisorI advise growers, dairies, or feed operationsrole-researcherI research forage or ruminant nutritionrole-storytellerI create content for an ag audiencerole-otherSomething else

Tell us about your work

Who's in your circle or audience?

Have you used HayRite or similar?

How did you hear about us?

termsI've read and agree to the Network Member Agreement and the FTC Disclosure Guidelines. I understand commission is paid only on sales attributed to my unique referral link or code, that researchers follow a separate Field Funding track, and that consulting advisors who elect commission must disclose their network participation to clients.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Common questions.

When do I get my referral code, and how does payment work?

Approved members receive their unique referral link and code within one business day of approval. Commission accrues continuously, with payouts monthly via direct deposit or check. Tax forms (W-9 collection, 1099-NEC issuance) are handled automatically by the affiliate platform.

What happens if I select multiple roles?

Many members fit more than one. Where the roles have different commission structures, the network defaults to the most generous structure that applies — except for Researcher, where the Research Field Funding model takes precedence over per-sale commission to protect academic standing.

If I'm a consulting nutritionist, do I have to disclose to my clients?

If you elect the commission path: yes. We provide a standard disclosure form. If you prefer not to disclose, the technical-only path gives you everything else in the network — pilot cohort access, technical pack, ARPAS speaker opportunities — without commission.

I'm a researcher. How does Research Field Funding actually work?

A base grant ($40-80K) funds your initial Investigator-Initiated Trial. Tiered field expansion grants are awarded as HayRite adoption in your study region crosses thresholds — +$15K at 50 producers, +$30K at 100, +$50K at 200, +$100K at 500. Funds go into your lab account through standard university grant administration.

What about FTC disclosure for storytellers?

Required. All sponsored content must include #ad, #sponsored, or "in partnership with HayRite" prominently — the FTC's standard for affiliate compliance. Non-compliant members are warned in writing once and removed on the second occurrence.

Can I leave the network later?

Anytime. Resignation is one email. Earned but unpaid commission through the date of resignation is paid out on the next scheduled payout. Renewal commission on existing customer accounts continues for 12 months after resignation, then ends.