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USDA Launches New Regenerative Pilot Program
December 12, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, alongside U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program to help American farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality, and boost long-term productivity, all while strengthening America’s food and fiber supply.
Protecting Soil and Reducing Production Costs
In response to the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, Congress created the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help people help the land and improve conservation of the nation’s soil and water resources. This action led to improved soil health and natural resources management which, in turn, has led to increased productivity. Between 1948 and 2021, total U.S. farm production increased 190% while total farm inputs - such as land, labor, and water - decreased 2% in the same period.
However, current conservation programs at USDA have become overly burdensome and farmers are bogged down with red tape whenever they try to adopt soil health and regenerative agriculture practices. Even with the improved soil health since the creation of NRCS, USDA data shows that farmers recently reported that 25% of acres had water-driven erosion concerns and 16% of acres had wind-driven erosion concerns.
The Regenerative Pilot Program directly addresses these challenges by cutting administrative burdens for producers, expanding access to new and beginning farmers, and boosting yields and long-term soil resilience across operations.
About the Regenerative Pilot Program
Administered by NRCS, this new Regenerative Pilot Program delivers a streamlined, outcome-based conservation model - empowering producers to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application. The initiative highlights USDA’s commitment to putting farmers first and advancing the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda by building a healthier, more resilient food system.
In Fiscal-Year 2026 (FY26), the Regenerative Pilot Program will focus on whole-farm planning that addresses every major resource concern - soil, water, and natural vitality- under a single conservation framework. USDA is dedicating $400 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and $300 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to fund this first year of regenerative agriculture projects.
Producers can now 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 January 15, 2026 for consideration in FY26 funding. Applications for both EQIP and CSP can now be submitted under the new single regenerative application process.
