By Frank Giles
Regenerative agriculture has been a buzzword that dates back to the 1980s. It has had flashes of popularity over the years and is enjoying another moment in the spotlight thanks to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement.
In December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 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. At the time of the announcement, Health and Human Services Secretary and MAHA founder Robert Kennedy endorsed the effort and said America’s health relies on a foundation of healthy soils.
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will administer the program. In fiscal year 2026, 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.
“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 of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, when the pilot project was announced. “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.”
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.
Public/Private Partnerships
In announcing the program, USDA said it would actively engage with private industry. The agency intends to match private funding in an effort to extend taxpayer dollars and bring new capacity to producers interested in adopting regenerative practices.
The Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA) is supporting the program. The alliance believes the companies that make up their organization can be key players in regenerative agriculture.
“Growers use a variety of tools to improve soil health and resilience across their operations, and biological products are an important part of that broader toolbox,” said John Dunmore, BPIA director of government and external affairs. “We welcome USDA’s commitment to reducing barriers and expanding options for producers.”
Other large corporate players have expressed interest in regenerative agriculture. in 2019, General Mills committed to advancing regenerative practices on 1 million acres of farmland by 2030. In 2023, PepsiCo and Walmart launched a seven-year $120 million program to support regenerative practices on 2 million acres in the United States and Canada. The collaboration will focus on soil health and water quality.
The Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Agribusiness Task Force is a global effort created by interested private industry to promote regenerative agriculture. The force includes many food companies and ag players like Bayer and Indigo Ag. One of the group’s aims is to build a framework to establish an “ecosystems services” payment system to incentivize farmers to adopt improvement practices for soil and water health.
The government and corporate backing is fueling growth in the global regenerative agriculture sector. The sector is expected to reach $2.9 million by 2030.
How to Apply
Farmers and ranchers interested in the Regenerative Pilot Program are encouraged to apply through their local NRCS service center by their state’s ranking dates for consideration in fiscal year 2026 funding. Applications for both EQIP and CSP can now be submitted under the new single regenerative application process.
Private industry interested in participating in the program can contact USDA directly at regenerative@usda.gov.
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