Bill · S. 3820· Senate(119-S-3820)
Soil CARE Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/10/2026
- Last activity
- 2/10/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Jeff Merkley
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Soil CARE Act of 2026," requires the Secretary of Agriculture to create a training program focused on soil health management. The program is intended for Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) personnel and third-party providers. It aims to provide education, resources, and technical support regarding evolving methodologies and practices for improving soil health. The curriculum will include online courses and in-person workshops delivered through various cooperative agreements. These training efforts are designed to help service members and providers assist agricultural producers in implementing systems that regenerate farmland. The bill authorizes $10,000,000 for these purposes over fiscal years 2027 through 2032.
Yes· 3 of 12
Would farmers be better off under this?+5
The bill provides technical support and education designed to help farmers implement regenerative soil health systems.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The bill focuses on soil health management, which helps improve water quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem function.
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
The training aims to help agricultural producers reduce input costs and improve farm profitability.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Agricultural Producers: The program aims to assist producers in understanding and implementing soil health management systems that regenerate farmland (Section 2, subsection (j)(2)(A)-(B)).
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Education on Cost Reduction: The curriculum includes training on how to reduce input costs by building on-farm and ranch fertility (Section 2, subsection (j)(4)(A)(ii)(II)).
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Addressing Specific Producer Needs: The training includes specific units on the special needs of new, small scale, and underserved producers (Section 2, subsection (j)(4)(A)(viii)(I)).
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Support for Tribal Communities: The curriculum will include coverage of issues specific to Indian Tribes and traditional ecological knowledge (Section 2, subsection (j)(4)(A)(vii)).
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Enhanced Technical Assistance: By providing education and resources to Service personnel and third-party providers, the bill seeks to improve their ability to support producers (Section 2, subsection (j)(2)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Found: The provided text does not contain specific details regarding negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of a people.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+5Good For Business Owners+4Good For Native Americans+4Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Low Income Households+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5Improves Rural Development+3Reduces Carbon Emissions+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+3Improves Economic Growth+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+3
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+2
- 2/10/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont