(Photo Credit: SDSU Extension) A member of the Clark County Conservation District seeds a cover crop mix as part of the larger Eck Restoration Project.
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall today commented on the announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture about a new Regenerative Agriculture Initiative that leverages existing programs, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program, to advance regenerative practices.
“We value USDA’s acknowledgement that farmers have long practiced regenerative agriculture on their farms, both through federal conservation programs and on their own. Building on these efforts by leveraging existing voluntary and incentive-based programs to advance additional regenerative goals sounds like smart government to me, especially when farmers remain in the driver’s seat.
“The public trusts farmers more than anyone — including government — to lead on regenerative agriculture, based on national polling. We don’t take that trust for granted. Farmers rely on healthy land to grow nutritious crops, raise healthy animals, and ensure our farms thrive for future generations. So, we take seriously our responsibility to care for the land.
“We are still digging into the details of the new initiative and look forward to learning more about how it will be administered to ensure it’s effective and workable for farmers.”
Administered by NRCS, USDA says this new Regenerative Pilot Program delivers a streamlined, outcome-based conservation model—empowering producers to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application.
USDA is dedicating $400 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and $300 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program to fund this first year of regenerative agriculture projects.
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.
To keep the Regenerative Pilot Program grounded in practical, producer-led solutions, NRCS is establishing the Chief’s Regenerative Agriculture Advisory Council. The Council will meet quarterly, with rotating participants, to advise the Chief of NRCS, review implementation progress, and help guide data and reporting improvements. Its recommendations will shape future USDA conservation delivery and strengthen coordination between the public and private sectors.
Sources: AFBF, USDA
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