Regenerative Agriculture Funding Explained: EQIP, CSP & the New USDA Pilot Program

A practical, no-hype overview of the new federal pilot program for regenerative agriculture and how it works through existing USDA programs like EQIP and CSP.

This presentation is designed for farmers, ranchers, growers, and serious gardeners who want to understand whether applying for regenerative agriculture funding makes sense for their land, operation, and long-term goals.

This is an educational presentation brought to you by a representative of the Living Systems Institute, a nonprofit regenerative.

The most accurate information will come from your local USDA NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) office, since program details, payment rates, and eligible practices vary by county and state.

This is typically cost-share or reimbursement funding. In most cases, you install the practice first or carry it out, and then you get paid after it’s verified.

In practice, regenerative agriculture usually means a few very tangible shifts: keeping living roots in the soil longer, reducing disturbance, increasing diversity, both above and below ground, and managing livestock or crops in a way that mimics natural cycles rather than fighting them. Instead of bare soil over winter, you might plant a cover crop. Instead of continuous grazing, some producers shift to shorter grazing periods with longer recovery. Instead of solving problems with inputs, you solve them with timing, biology, and observation! Please convert your garden and go to www.LivingSystemsInst.org OR www.Reinhabit.Coop to start your carbon cycling earth stewardship now!

The practices USDA supports fall into a few broad buckets:

Soil health practices (cover crops, reduced tillage, compost in some cases)
Grazing and pasture systems (rotational grazing, fencing, water distribution)
Perennial and habitat plantings (buffers, windbreaks, pollinator habitat)
Water and erosion management
Infrastructure that enables regenerative management.

Learn more:
• Find your local USDA NRCS office: https://www.farmers.gov/service-locator

• EQIP program overview: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-in...

• CSP program overview: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-in...

Program details vary by state and county. Speaking directly with a local NRCS office is the best way to understand current options and timelines.