USDA Announces More Money for Regenerative Practices

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced 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. Producers can now apply for assistance with regenerative practices. “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.

In fiscal year 2027, the Regenerative Agriculture Pilot continues to focus on whole-farm planning that addresses major soil and water resource concerns— to maximize the ecological potential of working lands—under a single conservation framework. USDA is dedicating $650 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and $350 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) 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. 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. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.