USDA Launches Regenerative Pilot Program for Farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a new $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program designed to help farmers lower production costs while improving soil health, water quality and long-term productivity.

The announcement was made December 10, 2025, in Washington, D.C., by 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.

What Farmers Need to Know

Program goal:
Help producers adopt regenerative practices that improve soil health, reduce erosion, and strengthen the U.S. food and fiber supply.

Total funding:

• $700 million total for FY2026
• $400 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
• $300 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

Who administers it:

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Why USDA Created the Program

USDA said existing conservation programs have become overly administrative, creating barriers for farmers wanting to adopt soil health practices. According to USDA data cited in the announcement, farmers recently reported:

• 25% of acres with water-driven erosion concerns
• 16% of acres with wind-driven erosion concerns

The Regenerative Pilot Program is intended to reduce administrative burden while expanding access to conservation programs.

“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 Secretary Brooke Rollins. "In order to continue to be the most productive and efficient growers in the world, we must protect our topsoil from unnecessary erosion and improve soil health and land stewardship. Today’s announcement encourages these priorities while supporting farmers who choose to transition to regenerative agriculture. The Regenerative Pilot Program also puts Farmers First and reduces barriers to entry for conservation programs."

How the Program Works

• Uses a single application for multiple regenerative practices
• Focuses on whole-farm planning, addressing soil, water and natural resource concerns together
• Available to both beginning and experienced producers
• Designed to increase flexibility while improving long-term soil resilience and yields

In FY2026, USDA said the program will operate under one conservation framework rather than multiple overlapping programs.

Advisory Council and Partnerships

NRCS will establish a Chief’s Regenerative Agriculture Advisory Council, which will:

• Meet quarterly with rotating participants
• Advise NRCS leadership
• Review implementation progress
• Help guide future conservation delivery and reporting

USDA also said it will pursue public-private partnerships to expand conservation funding. These partnerships would allow USDA to match private investment and stretch existing conservation dollars.

Companies interested in partnering with the program can contact USDA at regenerative@usda.gov.

Public Health Connections

As part of the initiative, the Department of Health and Human Services will invest in research and public health messaging related to regenerative agriculture.

“In September, under President Trump’s leadership, we released the MAHA Strategy Report, which includes a full section on soil health and land stewardship,” said HHS Secretary Kennedy. “Today’s regenerative farming announcement directly advances that deliverable. If we intend to Make America Healthy Again, we must begin by restoring the health of our soil.”

CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz also commented on the announcement.

“We cannot truly be a wealthy nation if we are not also a healthy nation. Access to wholesome, nutritious, and affordable foods is a key tenet of the Make America Healthy Again agenda, which President Trump has directed this administration to execute across all government agencies,” Oz said.

How to Apply

Farmers and ranchers interested in the Regenerative Pilot Program should:

• Apply through their local NRCS Service Center
• Submit applications by their state’s ranking deadlines for FY2026
• Use the new single application process for EQIP and CSP regenerative projects

More information is available through local NRCS offices or at usda.gov.