Soil CARE Act of 2026
Key claim: The Soil CARE Act of 2026 directs USDA to establish a recurring regional training program that educates NRCS personnel and third-party providers on soil health management systems so they can help producers regenerate farmland.
Abstract
(S3820 · 119th Congress) Soil Conservation And Regeneration Education Act of 2026 or the Soil CARE Act of 2026 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a training program for soil health management in Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs. Under the bill, soil health management means land management methods used to increase and balance soil health, such as microbial biomass and macrofauna, for the purpose of improving biological functions, including forming and stabilizing soil structure, cycling nutrients, controlling pests and disease, and degrading or detoxifying contaminants. The training program must (1) provide education, resources, and technical support to NRCS personnel and third-party providers on the rapidly evolving methodologies, science, and practices for improving soil health; and (2) assist NRCS personnel and third-party providers in supporting agricultural producers in understanding and implementing soil health management systems that regenerate farmland. The training program must be available twice every two years in each NRCS region and include both an online curriculum and in-person training workshops. The training program must be developed and delivered through cooperative agreements with entities with soil health management systems expertise and experience working with and training producers. The bill includes minimum curriculum requirements for the training program, including specific units on soil health and diversified production systems. USDA must review and update the training program curriculum and materials every two years. Latest action (2026-02-10): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Why this matters
The Soil CARE Act would embed soil health management training in statute, creating durable federal capacity to help farmers adopt regenerative practices rather than relying on ad hoc technical assistance. For producers, this could expand access to knowledgeable NRCS and third-party advisors; effects on consumers and food prices are indirect and depend on adoption rates and yield outcomes. Status: introduced in the 119th Congress; no enacted mandates or appropriations yet.