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Regenerative agriculture represents a holistic approach to farming and ranching that aims to improve the health of the agricultural ecosystem, with a particular focus on regenerating soil health. This approach seeks not only to sustain agricultural production but to actively enhance the natural resources upon which it depends, leading to benefits like increased biodiversity, improved water cycles, carbon sequestration, and greater farm resilience.
This article explores the core principles of regenerative agriculture, clarifies the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) perspective on these concepts, and details relevant USDA programs and resources available to support farmers, ranchers, and landowners in the United States.
Understanding the Core Principles
The term “regenerative agriculture” is increasingly used, but it lacks a single, universally agreed-upon legal or regulatory definition. This lack of a formal definition presents challenges for researchers studying its impacts, policymakers seeking to support it, and consumers trying to understand product labels.
Despite this ambiguity, a consensus exists around its core tenets. Regenerative agriculture is generally understood as a holistic, systems-based approach focused on achieving positive outcomes for the farm ecosystem. The primary goal is regeneration – moving beyond simply sustaining current conditions to actively improving the health and function of the land, particularly the soil. This contrasts with some conventional agricultural practices that can sometimes deplete soil resources over time.
A key characteristic is its adaptability; regenerative agriculture is not a prescriptive set of rules but rather a collection of principles applied based on the specific context of each farm, including its climate, geography, soil type, available resources, and the producer’s goals.
Core Principles
While practices vary, regenerative agriculture is guided by a set of core principles aimed at restoring ecosystem processes. These principles often closely mirror the soil health principles promoted by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Table 1: Core Principles of Regenerative Agriculture (and Soil Health)
| Principle | Explanation & Rationale | Examples of Related Practices |
|---|---|---|
| Minimize Soil Disturbance (Physical, Chemical, Biological) | Tillage (plowing, disking) breaks down soil structure, destroys fungal networks, releases stored carbon, and harms the habitat of beneficial soil organisms. Chemical disturbances (e.g., overuse of synthetic fertilizers/pesticides) can harm soil microbial life and disrupt natural nutrient cycles. Biological disturbance like overgrazing can reduce root mass and protective ground cover. Minimizing these disturbances protects the soil ecosystem. | No-Till Farming, Reduced/Conservation Tillage, Strip-Till, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Judicious use of inputs (organic fertilizers, compost), Managed Grazing. |
| Maximize Soil Cover (“Soil Armor”) | Bare soil is vulnerable to erosion by wind and rain, loses moisture through evaporation, and experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, all of which harm soil life. Keeping the soil covered with living plants or plant residues (mulch) protects it like armor, moderates temperature, reduces erosion, and conserves moisture. | Cover Cropping, Mulching, Maintaining Crop Residue. |
| Maximize Continuous Living Roots | Living plant roots are vital for feeding the soil food web. Through photosynthesis, plants convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into sugars (carbon compounds), releasing a significant portion (up to 70%) as exudates through their roots. These exudates nourish bacteria and fungi, which in turn make nutrients and water available to the plant. Continuous living roots maintain this crucial energy flow, build soil structure, improve water infiltration, and keep the soil biologically active throughout the year. | Cover Cropping, Perennial Crops/Pasture, Relay Cropping/Interseeding. |
| Maximize Biodiversity (Above & Below Ground) | Natural ecosystems thrive on diversity, whereas monocultures can deplete specific nutrients and increase vulnerability to pests and diseases. Increasing diversity – through varied crop rotations, planting multiple species together (companion cropping, cover crop mixes), or integrating trees and shrubs – supports a wider variety of soil organisms. This enhances nutrient cycling, improves soil structure, provides habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators, and increases overall ecosystem resilience. | Diverse Crop Rotations, Cover Crop Mixes, Intercropping/Companion Planting, Agroforestry (Silvopasture, Alley Cropping), Establishing Pollinator/Wildlife Habitat, Integrating Livestock. |
| Integrate Livestock (Thoughtfully) | Animals play a key role in many natural ecosystems. When managed properly (e.g., rotational or mob grazing), livestock can stimulate plant growth, cycle nutrients through manure, add organic matter, improve soil structure through hoof action, and increase biodiversity. Integrating animals can diversify farm income and enhance overall farm resilience. | Managed/Rotational/Prescribed Grazing, Silvopasture, Crop-Livestock Integration. |
Key Outcomes and Benefits
Adopting these principles leads to a range of interconnected benefits for the farm and the wider environment:
Improved Soil Health: This is the cornerstone outcome, encompassing better soil structure, increased organic matter, enhanced water infiltration and retention capacity, improved nutrient cycling, and more abundant and diverse soil microbial life.
Enhanced Biodiversity: Regenerative practices foster a greater variety of life both above ground (plants, insects, birds, wildlife) and below ground (microbes, fungi, earthworms).
Improved Water Management: Healthier soils absorb and hold more water, reducing runoff, erosion, and flooding while increasing drought resilience. Water quality can also improve due to reduced erosion and nutrient/pesticide runoff.
Carbon Sequestration: By increasing soil organic matter and plant biomass, regenerative practices can draw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil, potentially helping to mitigate climate change.
Farm Resilience and Profitability: Healthier soils can lead to more stable yields, especially during extreme weather like droughts or floods. Reduced reliance on expensive inputs like synthetic fertilizers and pesticides can lower production costs and potentially increase net farm income.
The strong parallels between the principles and outcomes of regenerative agriculture and the USDA’s focus on soil health are evident. This alignment suggests a strategic approach where the USDA supports the substance of regenerative agriculture through its established soil health framework, thereby promoting similar environmental goals without needing to formally adopt or regulate the specific term “regenerative agriculture”.
USDA’s Perspective
While “regenerative agriculture” has gained significant traction in farming communities, consumer markets, and corporate sustainability discussions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not have an official, legal, or regulatory definition for the term. This lack of a formal definition avoids the complexities of creating a new certification program like the National Organic Program and allows the agency flexibility. Instead, the USDA frames its support for similar practices and outcomes primarily through the established concepts of Soil Health and Climate-Smart Agriculture.
Focus on Soil Health
Soil health is a central pillar of the USDA’s conservation efforts, particularly through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS defines soil health as “the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans”. This definition emphasizes the soil as a living system performing essential functions, including regulating water, sustaining plant and animal life, filtering pollutants, cycling nutrients, and providing physical stability.
The NRCS promotes four key principles for managing soil health, which directly overlap with the core principles often cited for regenerative agriculture:
- Minimize Disturbance
- Maximize Soil Cover
- Maximize Biodiversity
- Maximize Presence of Living Roots
USDA agencies, including NRCS and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), invest heavily in soil health research, technical assistance, and education. The dedicated NRCS Soil Health Division works to integrate soil health management systems into conservation planning, aiming to enhance both conservation outcomes and the economic viability of farms and ranches.
By prioritizing soil health, USDA supports practices that improve water infiltration, reduce erosion, enhance nutrient cycling, increase resilience to drought and floods, and sequester carbon – many of the same benefits attributed to regenerative agriculture.
Focus on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA)
Climate-Smart Agriculture is another key framework USDA utilizes, encompassing approaches that aim to achieve three interconnected goals:
- Sustainably increase agricultural productivity and incomes.
- Adapt and build resilience to climate change.
- Reduce and/or remove greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions where possible.
Practices promoted under CSA, such as cover cropping, no-till farming, nutrient management, and agroforestry, significantly overlap with regenerative agriculture practices. USDA views CSA as crucial for ensuring a secure food supply while protecting natural resources in the face of climate change.
A major initiative under this framework was the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC), launched in 2022 with over $3 billion in funding for pilot projects. The initial goals were to build markets for commodities produced using climate-smart practices, provide incentives to producers (including early adopters and underserved groups), and develop methods for measuring, monitoring, reporting, and verifying (MMRV) the climate benefits.
In April 2025, the PCSC initiative was officially cancelled and reformed into the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative. The stated reasons for this change included concerns about high administrative costs in some PCSC projects and a desire to ensure more direct benefits to farmers. The AMP initiative operates under a “Farmer First” policy, requiring that existing grant agreements meet specific criteria to continue, notably that a minimum of 65% of federal funds must go directly to producers. This shift reflects an administrative priority to streamline programs and maximize direct financial support to agricultural producers using existing funds.
USDA’s View on “Regenerative Agriculture”
Given the lack of a formal definition, USDA personnel often describe regenerative agriculture based on its commonly understood goals and principles. Dr. Michel Cavigelli, a soil scientist with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), noted that while the term “seems to be defined differently by different people,” it is fundamentally “based on the goal of regenerating soil”. He identifies practices like minimizing tillage, maximizing living roots, adding organic amendments, using cover crops and perennials, and increasing diversity as key components, explicitly stating these align with NRCS’s soil health principles.
Dr. Cavigelli also highlighted that regenerative agriculture considers the broader ecosystem services that farming systems can provide, beyond just food and fiber production. He views it as defining the necessary direction for agriculture as a whole – maintaining food production while reducing environmental impacts under a changing climate, providing a “roadmap” for achieving this balance.
Distinction from USDA Organic
It is important to distinguish regenerative concepts from the USDA Organic certification. The National Organic Program (NOP) maintains a strict, legally defined set of standards that dictate allowed and prohibited substances (like synthetic pesticides and fertilizers) and practices. Producers must undergo a rigorous certification process to use the USDA Organic seal. Learn more at the National Organic Program website.
While the philosophical underpinnings of organic farming emphasize optimizing soil health, the certification itself primarily guarantees adherence to the specific NOP rules regarding inputs and processes. It doesn’t inherently require or verify improvement or regeneration of soil health or ecosystem function beyond meeting those standards. Regenerative agriculture, in contrast, is often described as being outcome-focused, aiming to actively rebuild and enhance soil health and biodiversity. Some non-governmental certifications, like Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC), explicitly build upon the USDA Organic standard, adding further requirements for soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness.
By strategically employing the terms “soil health” and “climate-smart agriculture,” USDA effectively supports the practices and goals associated with regenerative agriculture. This approach utilizes established agency frameworks, like the NRCS soil health principles, and leverages significant funding streams, such as those from the Farm Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act, channeled through existing conservation programs. This pragmatic strategy allows the Department to promote environmentally beneficial outcomes without navigating the complexities of formally defining or regulating the term “regenerative agriculture” itself.
Navigating USDA: Key Agencies for Conservation
Understanding which USDA agencies are involved is crucial for farmers, ranchers, and landowners seeking information or assistance related to conservation and practices aligned with regenerative agriculture. Several agencies play key roles:
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
As USDA’s primary agency for conservation on private lands, NRCS works directly with producers to develop conservation plans and provides technical and financial assistance to implement practices. NRCS administers major conservation programs like EQIP and CSP and is the main source for expertise on soil health principles and practices. NRCS originated as the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) in 1935, a direct response to the ecological devastation of the Dust Bowl.
Visit the NRCS Website
Farm Service Agency (FSA)
FSA administers farm commodity, disaster, and loan programs. Crucially for conservation efforts, FSA maintains the farm records (farm numbers, tract records, producer eligibility information) that are required for participation in most NRCS financial assistance programs. FSA also administers the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
Visit the FSA Website
Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
ARS is USDA’s chief in-house scientific research agency. It conducts research relevant to regenerative agriculture, including studies on soil health, nutrient cycling, cropping systems, and the environmental impacts of different farming practices.
Visit the ARS Website
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
NIFA funds external research, education, and extension projects at universities and other institutions through competitive grants. Programs like the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, administered through NIFA, directly support farmer-led innovation and knowledge sharing related to sustainable and regenerative practices.
Visit the NIFA Website
Forest Service (FS)
While primarily known for managing national forests, the Forest Service also offers landowner assistance programs (e.g., Forest Stewardship Program) and houses the National Agroforestry Center (NAC), providing resources for integrating trees with crops and/or livestock (agroforestry), a key practice in some regenerative systems.
Visit the Forest Service Website
Rural Development (RD)
Rural Development provides loans, grants, and technical assistance to foster economic opportunity and improve quality of life in rural areas. Its programs can support the development of infrastructure needed for processing, aggregation, and marketing of products from regenerative farms, particularly within local and regional food systems. Programs like the Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) can help producers capture more value from their products.
Visit the Rural Development Website
Successfully navigating USDA resources often involves coordination between these agencies. For instance, obtaining an FSA farm number is typically the first step before applying for NRCS conservation program funding. The scientific basis for NRCS practices often comes from ARS research or NIFA-funded projects. Producers interested in agroforestry or developing value-added products might engage with the Forest Service or Rural Development, respectively.
USDA Programs Supporting Healthy Lands and Regenerative Practices
The USDA, primarily through NRCS, offers several voluntary conservation programs that provide financial and technical assistance to producers wanting to implement practices that align with soil health and regenerative principles. These programs are authorized under the Farm Bill and have received additional funding through legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, often targeting climate-smart outcomes. It’s important to note that these programs are highly popular and often oversubscribed, meaning not all eligible applications can be funded in a given cycle.
Table 2: Overview of Key USDA Conservation Programs Relevant to Regenerative Agriculture
| Feature | Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) | Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) | Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administering Agency | NRCS | NRCS | NIFA (via Regional Councils) |
| Primary Focus | Implementing specific conservation practices to address identified resource concerns (e.g., soil erosion, water quality) | Rewarding ongoing stewardship and supporting adoption of additional conservation activities/enhancements across the entire agricultural operation | Funding farmer-driven research and education projects to advance sustainable agriculture practices |
| Typical Contract Length | 1-10 years (often 1-3 years) | 5 years (with renewal option) | Project-based (variable length) |
| Main Support Type | Cost-share payments for implementing practices; Technical Assistance | Annual payments (for existing stewardship + new activities); Enhancement/Bundle payments; Technical Assistance | Competitive grants for research, education, professional development projects |
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
EQIP is NRCS’s flagship conservation program, offering financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest landowners to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits. It is often described as a “fix-it” program targeting specific resource issues on parts of an operation.
Objectives: EQIP aims to help producers integrate conservation into working lands to improve water and air quality, conserve water, increase soil health, reduce erosion, enhance wildlife habitat, and mitigate against weather volatility and drought. It also assists producers in complying with environmental regulations.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants include agricultural producers, owners of non-industrial private forestland, and Indian Tribes who have control of the land (owned or rented) for the contract term. Applicants must comply with Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limits (generally an average AGI of $900,000 or less, though waivers exist) and conservation compliance provisions for highly erodible land and wetlands. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, forestland, and other farm/ranch lands. Establishing farm records with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is a prerequisite.
Support Provided:
Financial Assistance: EQIP provides cost-share payments, typically covering up to 75% of the estimated cost to implement conservation practices. Historically underserved producers (including beginning farmers, limited resource farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, and veteran farmers) may be eligible for higher cost-share rates (up to 90%) and advance payments (up to 50%) to help cover upfront costs. Payment rates are based on state-specific payment schedules determined annually. The payment limit is generally $450,000 over the life of the 2018 Farm Bill, though waivers exist for certain projects.
Technical Assistance: NRCS provides free one-on-one technical assistance to help producers develop a conservation plan tailored to their operation and resource concerns. This includes resource assessment, practice design, and guidance on implementation and maintenance. Producers can also hire certified Technical Service Providers (TSPs) for planning and design.
Practices Supporting Regenerative Principles: EQIP funds a wide array of conservation practices (over 160 nationally, though availability varies by state). Many directly align with regenerative agriculture and soil health principles, including:
Soil Health/Cover: Cover Crop (Practice Code 340), Conservation Crop Rotation (328), Mulching (484), Soil Carbon Amendment (336).
Reduced Disturbance: Residue and Tillage Management, No-Till (329); Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till (345).
Nutrient Management: Nutrient Management (590).
Grazing Management: Prescribed Grazing (528), Fence (382), Livestock Pipeline (516), Watering Facility (614).
Biodiversity/Habitat: Pollinator Habitat Enhancement Plan (Activity Code 148), Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (645), Tree/Shrub Establishment (612), Hedgerow Planting (422).
Initiatives: EQIP also has targeted initiatives, such as the Organic Initiative (supporting certified organic and transitioning producers) and initiatives focused on specific resource concerns like water quality, air quality, or specific landscapes. Iowa, for example, has a specific EQIP Soil Health Initiative requiring a suite of practices.
EQIP information: Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
CSP is designed for producers who are already implementing conservation practices and want to take their stewardship to the next level across their entire operation. It rewards existing conservation efforts and supports the adoption of additional activities.
Objectives: Encourage producers to address priority resource concerns comprehensively across their entire operation by undertaking additional conservation activities and improving, maintaining, and managing existing ones.
Eligibility: Applicants must be producers (owner or renter with control) of eligible land (cropland, pasture, range, non-industrial private forestland, etc.). The entire agricultural operation must be enrolled. Applicants must demonstrate they are already meeting a “stewardship threshold” for certain resource concerns and agree to meet or exceed thresholds for additional concerns during the contract. Beginning, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers receive special priority. AGI and conservation compliance rules apply. CSP is generally not for producers brand new to conservation; EQIP is often considered the entry point.
Support Provided:
Financial Assistance: CSP provides annual payments based on two components: (1) maintaining the existing level of conservation across the operation, and (2) implementing additional conservation activities (practices, enhancements, bundles). Supplemental payments are available for specific high-impact activities like resource-conserving crop rotations and advanced grazing management. A minimum annual payment ($4,000 as of FY24) applies to most contracts. The total payment limit is $200,000 over the 5-year contract ($400,000 for joint operations).
Technical Assistance: NRCS provides technical assistance to develop and implement the CSP plan.
Practices Supporting Regenerative Principles (“Enhancements” & “Bundles”): CSP supports basic conservation practices but emphasizes “enhancements” – activities that go beyond the minimum standard to achieve higher levels of conservation performance. Bundles group complementary enhancements for greater impact and higher payment rates. Examples relevant to regenerative agriculture include:
Soil Health: Soil Health Crop Rotation (E328E), No till system to increase soil health (E329D), Use of multi-species cover crop to improve soil health (E340C), Reduced tillage to increase soil health (E345D), Mulching to improve soil health (E484A), Soil Health Improvements on Pasture (E528S).
Cover Crops: Intensive cover cropping (E340B), Multi-species cover crop (E340C), Using cover crops for biological strip till (E340I), Cover crop to suppress weeds/pests (E340H).
Reduced Tillage: No till to increase plant-available moisture (E329C), No till system to increase soil health (E329D), Reduced tillage to increase plant-available moisture (E345C), Reduced tillage to increase soil health (E345D).
Nutrient Management: Improving nutrient uptake efficiency (E590A), Reduce risks of nutrient loss using precision ag (E590B), Manage livestock access to waterbodies (E472A).
Crop Rotations: Soil health crop rotation (E328E), Improved crop rotation to provide benefits to pollinators (E328J), Perennial grain crop conservation rotation (E328O).
Grazing Management: Improved grazing management for enhanced plant structure (E528E), Management Intensive Rotational Grazing (E528R), Grazing management that protects sensitive areas (E528I, E528M).
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Reduce risk of pesticides using precision application (E595A), Reduce risk using IPM PAMS techniques (E595B), Eliminate chemical treatments to increase dung beetles (E595E).
CSP information: Conservation Stewardship Program
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE)
Administered by NIFA through four regional councils, SARE funds farmer-driven research and education projects aimed at advancing sustainable agricultural practices across the U.S.
Objectives: Advance innovations that improve profitability, stewardship (environmental protection), and quality of life for farmers and communities. SARE emphasizes farmer participation as primary investigators or cooperators.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants include farmers, ranchers, researchers, extension agents/educators, graduate students, and non-profit organizations. Projects must be within the U.S. or its protectorates.
Support Provided: Competitive grants for research, education, and professional development projects. Grant types and priorities vary by region (North Central, Northeast, South, West). SARE does not fund farm start-up costs or large equipment/land purchases.
Practices/Topics Supported: SARE funds projects across a wide range of sustainable/regenerative topics, including cover crops, no-till/conservation tillage, rotational grazing, soil health, pest management, crop rotations, agroforestry, nutrient management, and local/regional food systems.
SARE information: Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
Other Relevant Programs & Support
Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA): This foundational NRCS program provides free one-on-one planning assistance and advice to landowners, helping them identify resource concerns and develop conservation plans, which can be a prerequisite for financial assistance programs like EQIP or CSP. Conservation Technical Assistance Information
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP): Helps landowners protect working farms/ranches and restore/protect wetlands through long-term easements. ACEP Information
Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP): Funds partnership-driven projects that leverage NRCS investment with partner contributions to address regional resource concerns. RCPP Information
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP): Administered by FSA, CRP provides rental payments for farmers to remove environmentally sensitive land from production and plant resource-conserving covers.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Support: NRCS offers enhanced payment rates and advance payments in EQIP for beginning farmers (operating <=10 years). FSA offers specific loan programs for beginning farmers. USDA provides dedicated coordinators and resources. Beginning Farmer Resources
Agroforestry Support: The USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC), a partnership between the Forest Service and NRCS, provides resources and promotes practices like silvopasture and alley cropping. NAC Information
Local/Regional Food System Support: USDA RD and AMS offer grants and programs (like VAPG, RFSI) to support infrastructure, processing, and market development for local food systems, which can benefit regenerative producers seeking alternative markets. USDA Local/Regional Food Systems Information
Producers can sometimes “stack” or combine funding from different sources (e.g., a federal NRCS program and a private carbon market or state program) for different practices or outcomes on the same land, but generally cannot receive payment from multiple USDA programs for the same practice on the same acre. Careful consultation with program staff is needed to navigate these rules.
USDA Framing of Benefits: Environment, Economics, and Climate
USDA consistently frames the benefits of the conservation practices supported by programs like EQIP and CSP in terms of positive environmental, economic, and climate-related outcomes. This framing aligns with the goals of soil health, sustainable agriculture, and climate-smart agriculture initiatives.
Environmental Benefits
A primary focus is on improving natural resources. This includes:
Soil Health and Reduced Erosion: Practices like no-till, cover crops, and conservation crop rotation are highlighted for their ability to reduce soil erosion from wind and water, increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure and tilth, and enhance overall soil health and function.
Water Quality and Quantity: Practices aim to reduce runoff of sediment, nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus), and pesticides into surface and groundwater, conserve water through improved infiltration and efficiency, and protect wetlands and riparian areas. Nutrient management (590) is specifically highlighted for improving water quality.
Air Quality: Reducing tillage-induced particulate matter, dust, and other emissions is a stated goal.
Wildlife Habitat and Biodiversity: Programs explicitly support practices that create, restore, or enhance habitat for wildlife, pollinators, and other beneficial organisms. EQIP dedicates at least 10% of funds to wildlife habitat practices.
Economic Benefits for Producers
USDA emphasizes that conservation is compatible with productive agriculture and can enhance farm profitability. Specific economic advantages highlighted include:
Reduced Input Costs: Practices like nutrient management, integrated pest management, and improved soil health (leading to better nutrient cycling) can reduce the need for purchased fertilizers, pesticides, and fuel/energy.
Improved Yields/Productivity: While not guaranteed and sometimes involving short-term adjustments, improved soil health, water availability, and overall ecosystem function can lead to more stable or even increased crop yields and livestock productivity over the long term.
Enhanced Resilience: Healthier systems are better able to withstand market fluctuations and extreme weather events like drought and floods, reducing risk.
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
USDA increasingly frames conservation practices as climate solutions.
Mitigation: Practices like cover cropping, no-till, nutrient management, and agroforestry are promoted for their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., nitrous oxide from fertilizer, methane from livestock) and sequester carbon in soils and biomass. The Inflation Reduction Act specifically directed additional funding to conservation programs for these climate mitigation benefits.
Adaptation and Resilience: Soil health practices are key to helping producers adapt to climate change impacts like drought, flooding, and extreme temperatures by improving water infiltration and storage capacity. USDA emphasizes building resilience across landscapes.
USDA utilizes tools like the Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) and is investing in improved Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MMRV) capabilities to better quantify these environmental and climate outcomes from conservation program investments. Reports and data on conservation outcomes are often available through resources like the RCA Data Viewer.
Getting Started with USDA Conservation Assistance
Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners interested in exploring conservation practices aligned with regenerative agriculture or soil health principles can access technical and financial assistance through USDA, primarily via NRCS. Here’s a general guide to getting started:
- Contact Your Local USDA Service Center: This is the essential first step. Service Centers typically house staff from NRCS, FSA, and sometimes Rural Development. Making an appointment is recommended. Use the online locator Service Center Locator to find your local office.
- Prepare for Your Visit: Ask what documents are needed. Typically, this includes proof of identity (driver’s license, SSN), proof of control of the land (deed or lease), and business information (tax ID, entity documents if applicable). Think about your goals, resource concerns, and questions.
- Initial Consultation & Planning (NRCS): Discuss your vision, goals, and challenges with an NRCS conservation planner. They will likely schedule a site visit to walk the land, assess resource conditions (soil, water, plants, animals, etc.), and discuss potential solutions. NRCS uses a 9-step conservation planning process to develop a customized plan outlining practices to meet your objectives and address resource concerns. This technical assistance (planning) is free.
- Establish Farm Records (FSA): If applying for financial assistance programs (like EQIP or CSP), you must have farm records established with the Farm Service Agency (FSA). This involves registering your operation and obtaining farm/tract numbers. FSA staff at the Service Center can assist with this.
- Apply for Financial Assistance (NRCS): If you decide to seek financial help to implement practices in your conservation plan, you’ll work with NRCS to complete program applications (e.g., Form CPA-1200 for EQIP/CSP). You’ll also need to complete eligibility forms like AD-1026 (conservation compliance) and CCC-941 (AGI certification). Applications are generally accepted year-round, but NRCS sets state-specific “ranking dates” or “cut-off dates” to evaluate applications for funding cycles.
- Application Ranking & Approval: NRCS ranks eligible applications based on factors like the environmental benefits expected, cost-effectiveness, and state/local priorities. If your application ranks high enough and funds are available, NRCS will offer you a contract.
- Contract Implementation: If you accept the contract, you agree to implement the planned conservation practices according to NRCS standards and specifications within a set timeframe. NRCS provides technical guidance during implementation. Once practices are completed and certified by NRCS as meeting standards, payments are issued. Remember that financial assistance is typically cost-share, meaning the producer covers a portion of the costs, although advance payments may be available for historically underserved producers.
The website farmers.gov serves as a valuable online portal where producers can learn about programs, locate service centers, access forms, and potentially manage applications and contracts online.
Potential Challenges and Appeal Rights
While USDA conservation programs offer significant support, producers may encounter challenges. Programs like EQIP and CSP are often oversubscribed, meaning funding isn’t sufficient to approve all eligible applications. Historically underserved producers, including small-scale farmers and farmers of color, have sometimes faced barriers in accessing programs due to factors like complex application processes, lack of tailored outreach, or insufficient technical assistance recognizing their specific needs. USDA has stated commitments and implemented provisions (like higher payment rates and set-asides) to improve equity and access for these groups. Some producers also report difficulties with program complexity, paperwork burden, or communication with agency staff.
If a producer disagrees with an adverse technical determination or program decision made by NRCS (e.g., related to eligibility, payments, contract violations, HEL/wetland determinations), they have appeal rights. The process typically involves:
Informal Reconsideration/Mediation: Requesting NRCS to reconsider the decision, often involving a field visit and discussion. Mediation with a neutral third party is also an option.
Formal Appeal: If unsatisfied with the informal outcome, producers can file a formal appeal within 30 days of receiving the final NRCS decision. Options include appealing to:
- The FSA County Committee (for decisions under Title XII of the Food Security Act, like HEL/wetland compliance).
- The USDA National Appeals Division (NAD), an independent office within USDA. NAD conducts impartial hearings where participants can present evidence. NAD decisions can be further reviewed by the NAD Director and potentially challenged in federal court.
It’s crucial for producers to understand their appeal rights, which should be outlined in the decision letter received from NRCS.
Additional Resources
For those seeking deeper knowledge or practical guidance on regenerative agriculture and related practices, numerous organizations offer valuable resources:
Kiss the Ground: Provides educational guides, courses (including Soil Advocate Training), films, and resources on regenerative principles, practices (cover crops, agroforestry), and soil science. They also facilitate policy action.
Soil Health Academy: Offers hands-on schools and workshops taught by experts in regenerative agriculture, focusing on practical application of principles. Co-founded by Ray Archuleta, formerly of NRCS.
Savory Institute: Focuses on Holistic Management, particularly for grazing lands, and offers training and the Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) certification through its Land to Market program.
Rodale Institute: A pioneer in organic and regenerative organic research and advocacy. They offer resources, training, and were instrumental in developing the Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) standard.
Other Organizations: Many other groups provide resources, including Understanding Ag, Soil Health Institute, Regenerative Farmers of America, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), American Farmland Trust (AFT), and university extension programs.
These resources complement USDA programs by providing education, peer-to-peer learning, and alternative certification pathways focused specifically on regenerative outcomes.
Our articles make government information more accessible. Please consult a qualified professional for financial, legal, or health advice specific to your circumstances.
