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119-hr-5902119th CongressWALLET

Innovative Practices for Soil Health Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]

In Committee

Summary

Soil health is the bill's core goal. It would refocus USDA conservation programs to fund greenhouse gas reduction planning, support perennial and agroforestry systems, and set up a national agroforestry research network.

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  • Farmers and ranchers would get wider support for perennial crops, agroforestry, nutrient recycling trials, and soil testing. The bill would allow payments that cover income forgone and transition risks for switching to perennial or organic systems.
  • Individual producers and Tribal entities would be explicitly eligible for expanded planning and funding. New planning categories would include soil health, greenhouse gas reduction, nutrient management, agroforestry, and organic transition.
  • Researchers, extension services, and adopters would gain a national research and demonstration network. The bill would establish a National Agroforestry Research, Development, and Demonstration Center in Lincoln, Nebraska and at least three regional agroforestry centers, plus grants and demonstration farms to spread climate-smart practices.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More conservation program access for farmers

If enacted, the bill would let individuals and Tribal entities apply for conservation program help and add "individuals" among eligible recipients. It would expand planning types to include soil health planning; greenhouse gas emissions reduction planning; nutrient management planning; integrated pest management planning; agroforestry planning; and organic transition planning. The bill would also insert language recognizing perennial agriculture systems into program headings and rules.

National and Regional Agroforestry Centers

If enacted, the Secretary would establish a National Agroforestry Research, Development, and Demonstration Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, and at least three regional centers. The Centers would run research, technical assistance, outreach, and regional grant programs to support agroforestry projects and demonstration farms. The bill would also define "agroforestry" and list examples like riparian buffers, alley cropping, silvopasture, forest farming, windbreaks, hedgerows, and living snow fences.

New soil-focused CSP rules for farmers

If enacted, the bill would shift the Conservation Stewardship Program to focus on actively maintaining and improving soil health, carbon storage, and greenhouse gas reductions. The Secretary could offer a renewal in the first half of year five if you meet your contract terms. To renew, you would need to adopt more conservation actions across your whole operation and meet two extra priority concerns. The bill would expand payments to cover income forgone, added economic risk, and revenue loss from switching to perennials or organic systems, and it would require outreach and payments for soil testing to track soil health and carbon.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]

VA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 11/4/2025

  • Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 11/4/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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