Innovative Practices for Soil Health Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]
Introduced
Summary
Soil health would be elevated across USDA conservation programs by expanding perennial agriculture and agroforestry and by adding greenhouse gas and nutrient‑recycling planning. It would broaden program rules, payments, and eligibility and create a National Agroforestry Research, Development, and Demonstration Center in Lincoln, Nebraska plus at least three regional centers.
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- Farmers and ranchers would get clearer support for perennial production and agroforestry. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) would recognize perennial systems, nutrient recycling planning, and greenhouse gas reductions as eligible activities.
- Program participants would see changed contract and payment rules. CSP would shift contracts to prioritize active management and improvements, expand payments to reflect income forgone, and allow renewed participation into the first half of the fifth year when thresholds are met.
- Tribal, state, and local governments and a wider set of applicants would be eligible for planning and grants. The bill would fund new outreach, soil testing support, and a national agroforestry network led from Lincoln with regional directors and grant authority.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
CSP renewals and pay for perennials
If enacted, producers could renew a Conservation Stewardship Program contract in the first half of year five. They would need to show compliance and commit to new or improved practices across the whole farm for five more years. By the end of the contract, they would agree to meet at least two additional priority resource concerns, if applicable. Payments could cover income forgone, added risk, and revenue losses from transitions. Perennial systems like agroforestry, perennial forages, and perennial grains would be eligible for supplemental payments. The program would weigh soil health and carbon goals more and require active upkeep and improvement of practices.
New national and regional agroforestry centers
If enacted, the bill would create a national agroforestry center in Lincoln, Nebraska and at least three regional centers. The Secretary would appoint directors to lead them. The centers would share how to adopt practices like silvopasture, alley cropping, riparian buffers, and windbreaks. They could run regional grants and demonstration farms. The bill does not set grant amounts.
More people can get conservation planning help
If enacted, individuals could apply for USDA conservation funding. Tribal, State, and local governments would also be eligible. Planning funds could cover soil health, greenhouse gas reduction, nutrient management, pest management, agroforestry, and organic transition plans. The bill would also recognize perennial agriculture systems in planning.
On-farm trials add perennials and recycling
If enacted, On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials could include nutrient recycling planning. Perennial production systems, like agroforestry and perennial forages or grain crops, would be eligible. This would broaden which projects can get support in the trials.
Outreach and soil testing payments for farmers
If enacted, USDA would do outreach to promote conservation contracts that improve soil health and store carbon. Producers could get payments for soil testing to track soil health and carbon results. The bill does not set payment amounts.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]
VA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 11/4/2025
Pingree
ME • D
Sponsored 11/4/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov