WASHINGTON, D.C. — Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday unveiled a new “Farmers First” pilot program designed to accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices nationwide. The initiative, backed by $700 million in federal funding, represents a major interagency push to improve soil health, reduce agricultural emissions, and bolster rural economies.
About the Regenerative Pilot Program
Dubbed the Regenerative Agriculture Innovation Network (RAIN), the initiative will fund projects that promote cover cropping, no-till farming, crop diversification, and agroforestry. The USDA said the program aims to help farmers adopt techniques that restore soil health, capture carbon, reduce water use, and improve long-term yields.
“This is about strengthening America’s agricultural backbone from the ground up,” Rollins said. “Regenerative farming keeps our soil alive, our communities thriving, and our food systems strong.”
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the investment represents a “turning point” in how the federal government supports farm sustainability. “This program rewards farmers not just for what they produce, but for how they produce it,” Vilsack said at a press briefing. “Regenerative practices strengthen rural economies, protect ecosystems, and ensure that American agriculture remains both productive and resilient in the face of climate change.”
Kennedy highlighted the program’s potential to improve public health, pointing out that decades of soil depletion and reliance on chemical-intensive farming have had lasting consequences for both nutrition and environmental well-being.
“In September, under President Trump’s leadership, we released the MAHA Strategy Report, which includes a full section on soil health and land stewardship,” Kennedy said. “Today’s regenerative farming announcement directly advances that deliverable. If we intend to Make America Healthy Again, we must begin by restoring the health of our soil.”
Public and Private Partnerships
The pilot will distribute funds over the next three years through competitive grants to farmers, research institutions, and agribusinesses. Priority will go to projects involving historically underserved producers and regions most impacted by droughts and soil degradation.
Environmental organizations broadly welcomed the program, though some urged the USDA to ensure transparency and measurable outcomes. “This initiative has the potential to transform U.S. agriculture, but success will depend on clear standards and long-term commitment,” said Jane Alvarez, policy director at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
The USDA plans to publish detailed application guidelines early next year, with the first round of funding expected to roll out by late summer 2026.
How to Apply
Companies interested in partnering with USDA NRCS in the Regenerative Pilot Program can email regenerative@usda.gov for more information.
Farmers and ranchers interested in regenerative agriculture are encouraged to apply through their local NRCS Service Center by their state’s ranking dates for consideration in FY2026 funding. Applications for both EQIP and CSP can now be submitted under the new single regenerative application process.
