What is regenerative ag? New NRCS program will bundle practices into single application through EQIP, CSP

Regenerative agriculture is a conservation management approach that emphasizes natural resources through improved soil health, water management, and overall farm vitality. 

The Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Regenerative Pilot Program is investing $700 million to support regenerative agriculture — $400 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and $300 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). For growers, this means bundled practices are integrated into a single application, making programs easier to access and more impactful overall. All resource concerns are addressed together, and whole farm, holistic conservation planning is the focus of the program. Producer goals and conservation planning drive the process. Both new and beginning farmers and experienced growers may apply. Results are carefully monitored so growers receive credit. Contract length is a minimum of five years.

The Regenerative Pilot Program has three requirements:

Whole Farm Assessment. An extensive assessment of all resource concerns is required, with the goal of establishing a whole farm plan before the end of the contract. Whole farm plans must meet NRCS planning criteria in the soil and water resource categories. These plans may be developed by NRCS staff, partners, or technical service providers.

Primary Practices. At least one primary regenerative management practice must be observed or applied by the end of the contract. Additional NRCS practices may support regenerative agriculture objectives when used in the appropriate context. Practices identified in the conservation plan will be eligible for financial assistance, however, producers may choose which practices to include in the financial assistance application based on their goals and objectives. Primary practices include:

• Conservation crop rotation
• Contour farming
• Contour orchard and other perennial crop
• Cover crop
• Drainage water management
• Forage harvest management
• Forest stand improvement
• Irrigation water management
• Mulching
• Nutrient management
• Pest management conservation system
• Grazing management
• Residue and tillage management, no-till
• Residue and tillage management (reduced)
• Stripcropping 

A farm may implement conservation crop rotation, cover crop, and nutrient management as primary management practices but also identify the need for soil amendments using Practice 333 (Amending Soil Properties with Gypsum Products) or Practice 336 (Soil Carbon Amendment) to implement its conservation plan. These practices would be eligible for inclusion under the Regenerative Pilot Program.

Soil Health Testing. Growers must complete soil health testing in both the first and last year of the contract. The goal is to determine a baseline and track results over time. Financial assistance for soil testing is available to growers who have not completed testing previously, as well as those already testing their soil.

Growers interested in the Regenerative Pilot Program should contact their local NRCS office.