Rural Investment for Producers and the Environment (RIPE) Act of 2026

Direct Conservation Payments for Producers

If you are a producer in a selected eligible watershed, you would be able to get direct payments and technical help to install conservation practices. Payments would be set each year per acre and per animal unit and would cover adoption costs, income foregone, long-term maintenance, and environmental benefits. Contracts would run 3 to 5 years and the Secretary would set a minimum contract payment within one year after enactment. At least 10 percent of funds would be reserved for limited-resource or socially disadvantaged producers, and those producers would receive payments 15 percent higher than otherwise applicable rates. The Commodity Credit Corporation would provide $1,000,000 for FY2026 and $150,000,000 for each of FY2027 through FY2029. The Secretary would select up to 2 watersheds per State or territory and up to 30 watersheds total; watersheds that serve Tribal lands would not count toward the per-State limit. NRCS would run a simple application process and provide technical assistance, and the Secretary would report to Congress by December 30 each year on enrollment and outcomes.