USDA providing $1 billion under Regenerative Pilot Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Sept. 29 increased financial assistance for the Regenerative Pilot Program from $700 million to $1 billion in fiscal year 2027, providing more producers with the opportunity to adopt conservation systems that improve soil health, water quality and long-term farm resilience, according to a USDA news release. Additionally, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is making changes to the program, including using NRCS’s locally led conservation model to allow State Technical Advisory Committees to add conservation practices that reflect local resource concerns, production systems and producer needs. ADVERTISEMENT “American farmers are the frontlines of our fight to make America healthy again, and we will work with them to achieve this goal,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said in the release. “Under Secretary Rollins’ leadership, USDA is increasing funding for this program to $1 billion to help farmers build soil health, reduce dependence on costly chemical inputs, and adopt regenerative practices,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Last fiscal year, NRCS obligated more than 5,100 contracts for more than $851 million to implement whole-farm conservation practices for regenerative agriculture. Through this program, farmers and ranchers continue to make improvements to soil health, water management and natural vitality, and provide consumers with American-grown whole foods,” said NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley. “We are building on this success by improving flexibility without sacrificing outcomes and strengthening delivery and accountability.” Also, for fiscal year 2027, the program maintains whole-farm planning while reducing the barrier to entry by lowering the resource concern threshold from 100% to 75% for the Conservation Stewardship Program. The program also provides multiple monitoring and evaluation options tailored to cropland, grazing lands and forestry operations. Other enhancements for fiscal year 2027 include dedicated funding set-asides, improved tracking mechanisms, expanded technical support networks, and enhanced communications that will make the program easier to administer, easier to access and more transparent for producers and taxpayers alike, the release noted. ADVERTISEMENT About the Regenerative Pilot Program The Regenerative Pilot Program is meant to empower producers to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application, according to the USDA news release. In fiscal year 2027, the Regenerative Pilot Program will focus on whole-farm planning that addresses soil, water, and natural vitality under a single conservation framework. USDA is dedicating $650 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and $350 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program to fund this second year of regenerative agriculture projects. Producers can bundle multiple regenerative practices into one application, streamlining the process and increasing flexibility for operations. The program is designed for both beginning and advanced producers, ensuring availability for all farmers ready to take the next step in regenerative agriculture. How to apply Farmers and ranchers interested in regenerative agriculture are encouraged to apply through their local NRCS Service Center by their state’s ranking dates for fiscal year 2027 funding consideration. Applications for both EQIP and CSP can be submitted under the single regenerative application process.