Soil CARE Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 3820
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-11T16:52:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Soil Conservation And Regeneration Education Act of 2026 (Soil CARE Act) aims to improve soil health on agricultural land by requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create and maintain a training program. This program focuses on educating Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff and third-party providers—such as private consultants who deliver USDA conservation assistance—about the latest science, methods, and practices for soil health management. The goal is to help these professionals better support farmers in adopting systems that regenerate soil, enhance farm productivity, and promote environmental benefits like better water quality and carbon storage.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of Training Program: Within one year of the bill's enactment, the USDA Secretary must set up a program to deliver education, resources, and technical support on evolving soil health practices. It targets NRCS personnel (especially those involved in planning and technical assistance) and third-party providers to aid farmers in implementing regenerative soil systems.
- Delivery Format:
- Offered in each NRCS region at least twice every two years.
- Includes a national online curriculum, developed and delivered by NRCS in partnership with experts.
- Features in-person workshops covering diverse regions and farm types, also developed and delivered through partnerships.
- Partnerships: The program must be created via cooperative agreements with knowledgeable organizations, including farming consultants, producer cooperatives, nonprofits focused on organic or regenerative farming, conservation districts, land-grant universities (public institutions that provide agricultural education and research), long-term agroecosystem research sites, and other experts. Initial agreements must be in place within one year.
- Participation Requirements:
- NRCS staff are encouraged to complete the online curriculum and, where possible, attend at least one workshop.
- Third-party providers must follow set schedules for completing the online training and attending workshops.
- Ongoing education is provided on new USDA conservation standards related to soil health.
- Trained staff must share soil health education materials with farmers through NRCS programs.
- Curriculum Content: The program includes mandatory units on:
- Core principles of soil health, emphasizing biological functions (e.g., nutrient cycling and pest control) and regional differences.
- Transitioning to soil-building farming systems, including operations, costs, risks, and benefits like reduced need for chemical inputs.
- Organic production methods.
- Diversified systems, such as perennial crops, agroforestry (integrating trees with crops or livestock), livestock in cropping, and managed grazing.
- Research on soil biology (the living organisms in soil) and regenerative agriculture's effects on water, biodiversity, climate resilience, carbon sequestration, and farm profits.
- Key conservation practices that boost soil health and address climate change.
- Unique needs of Native American Tribes, including traditional ecological knowledge (indigenous practices for land stewardship).
- Support for new, small-scale, and underserved farmers.
- Tools for farmers to test soil health themselves.
- Available USDA conservation programs that promote soil regeneration and cost savings.
- Updates and Funding: The curriculum and materials must be reviewed and updated every two years based on new innovations and science. The bill authorizes $10 million in funding for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 to implement the program.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Section 1242 of the Food Security Act of 1985, which governs the certification and training of third-party technical service providers for USDA conservation programs. Key changes include:
- A minor clarification in subsection (d) by specifying "Department of Agriculture" for precision.
- Addition of a new subsection (j) that mandates the soil health training program, including definitions for terms like "soil health management" (methods to balance soil biology for better function and contaminant breakdown) and requirements for partnerships, curriculum, and participation. This expands the existing framework to emphasize regenerative practices and ongoing education, which were not previously required at this level of detail.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The USDA and NRCS will need to invest time and resources in developing partnerships, creating materials, and delivering training, potentially improving the effectiveness of conservation programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. This could lead to more efficient use of federal funds for soil conservation.
- On Citizens: Farmers, especially those adopting regenerative or organic methods, will gain better access to informed technical advice, potentially lowering input costs (e.g., fertilizers), increasing farm resilience to weather extremes, and enhancing soil quality for long-term productivity. Small-scale, new, and underserved producers, including Tribal farmers, may benefit from tailored support, promoting equitable access to conservation resources.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though improved U.S. soil health practices could indirectly support global efforts on climate change and food security by demonstrating leadership in sustainable agriculture and carbon sequestration.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- NRCS Personnel: Field staff and planners who provide direct assistance to farmers; they must participate in training and share materials.
- Third-Party Providers: Private consultants certified under USDA programs; required to complete training to maintain eligibility for federal payments.
- Agricultural Producers: Farmers and ranchers, particularly those focused on organic, regenerative, diversified, or small-scale operations; they receive enhanced support for soil health practices.
- Partner Organizations: Farming cooperatives, nonprofits, conservation districts, universities, and research sites involved in program development.
- Underserved Groups: Native American Tribes, beginning farmers, and socially disadvantaged producers, who get specific curriculum attention.
- Broader Public: Taxpayers funding the program; potential environmental beneficiaries through improved ecosystem health.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill builds on existing USDA authority under the Food Security Act without creating new enforcement mechanisms or penalties, focusing instead on voluntary education and partnerships. It promotes compliance with conservation standards but does not impose mandates on farmers.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it aligns with Congress's power to regulate agriculture and spend for the general welfare (e.g., environmental protection). Inclusion of Tribal-specific provisions respects federal trust responsibilities to Native American Tribes.
- Political: The legislation advances priorities in sustainable and climate-smart agriculture, potentially bridging bipartisan interests in farm support and environmental conservation. By emphasizing regenerative practices, it could influence future farm bills or climate policies, though funding levels may spark debates on federal spending priorities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-10: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 2026-02-10: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Soil Conservation And Regeneration Education Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-10 — PDF (11 pages)