Key Takeaways
- USDA, HHS, and CMS jointly unveiled a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program supporting soil health and long-term farm productivity.
- The initiative aligns with the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Strategy and emphasizes links between soil health and public health outcomes.
- The NRCS-administered pilot streamlines conservation access, allowing producers to bundle practices under a single application.
- Funding includes $400 million through EQIP and $300 million through CSP for whole-farm regenerative projects in FY2026.
- A new Chief’s Regenerative Agriculture Advisory Council will guide implementation and foster public-private collaboration.
Federal Agencies Announce New Regenerative Agriculture Initiative
A Multi-Agency Effort to Support Soil Health and Farm Viability
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, joined by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, announced a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program designed to help farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality, and strengthen long-term productivity across American farmland.
The announcement aligns with the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy and incorporates new HHS research into the connection between regenerative agriculture and public health.
“Protecting and improving the health of our soil is critical not only for the future viability of farmland, but to the future success of American farmers,” said USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. added that soil health is central to broader national health objectives, while CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz emphasized the role of nutritious, affordable food in public health outcomes.
Streamlined Conservation Through a Whole-Farm Regenerative Framework
NRCS to Lead Pilot in FY2026
Administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the program will introduce an outcome-based conservation model that allows producers to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative systems through a single application.
Funding for FY2026 includes:
- $400 million via EQIP
- $300 million via CSP
Producers will be able to bundle multiple regenerative practices, reducing administrative barriers and improving access for both beginning and experienced farmers.
Advisory Council and Public-Private Partnerships to Support Deployment
Industry Engagement to Strengthen Long-Term Adoption
To ensure practical, producer-focused implementation, NRCS will establish the Chief’s Regenerative Agriculture Advisory Council, which will meet quarterly to provide guidance and recommend improvements.
Additionally, the program enables USDA to leverage private-sector conservation funding through new public-private partnership mechanisms, expanding capacity and extending the impact of federal investment.
USDA at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
| Established | May 15, 1862 |
| Founded By | President Abraham Lincoln |
| First Commissioner | Isaac Newton |
| Cabinet Status | Elevated to cabinet-level agency in 1889 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Primary Mission | Agriculture oversight, food safety, nutrition programs, rural development, and conservation |
| Core Responsibilities | Farming and forestry policy, food inspection, nutrition assistance, rural economic development |
| Key Legislative Foundations | Morrill Act (1862), Hatch Act (1887), Smith-Lever Act (1914) |
| Major Programs | SNAP, WIC, National School Lunch Program, Rural Development, Farm Loans, Conservation Programs |
| Food Safety Role | Inspection of meat, poultry, and certain egg products through FSIS |
| Support for Farmers | Grants, loans, insurance, research, and extension services for small and mid-sized farms |
| Rural Development Focus | Housing, utilities, broadband, and economic development funding |
| Conservation & Climate | Soil conservation, water management, wildlife protection, climate-smart agriculture |
| 2023 Farmer Relief | Over $1.7 billion distributed in emergency financial support |
| 2023 Broadband Investment | More than $1.8 billion invested; 250,000+ rural residents connected |
| Nutrition Access Initiatives | Expanded school meal participation and food access for underserved populations |
| Key Historical Controversy | Pigford v. Glickman settlement addressing discrimination against Black farmers |
| Ongoing Criticism | Food aid delays, disease response challenges, labor safety oversight, program discontinuations |
| Current Status | Active federal agency overseeing U.S. agriculture and food systems |
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