COLUMBUS, Ohio — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Ohio has announced an expansion of eligible practices for agricultural producers participating in the Regenerative Pilot Program for fiscal year 2027. This development aims to provide local farmers and ranchers with broader opportunities to adopt comprehensive conservation systems designed to improve soil health, elevate water quality, and foster long-term farm resilience. With these updates, eligible producers can now apply for targeted assistance to integrate a wider array of regenerative practices directly into their operations.
The expansion is part of a broader national effort by the USDA to improve the Regenerative Pilot Program by leveraging the agency’s established locally led conservation model. Through this framework, State Technical Advisory Committees are empowered to recommend additional conservation practices that accurately reflect localized resource concerns, specific regional production systems, and the unique needs of producers working in different parts of the country. In Ohio, these efforts have resulted in the official addition of Pasture and Hay Planting (Practice Code 512) to complement the core regenerative practices that remain available to agricultural producers on a nationwide scale.
John Wilson, the NRCS State Conservationist in Ohio, emphasized the practical advantages of the initiative for local agricultural communities. He noted that the Regenerative Pilot Program delivers a streamlined, outcome-based conservation model that empowers producers to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single, unified application process. According to Wilson, the ongoing initiative highlights the USDA’s steadfast commitment to putting farmers first while advancing broader efforts to build a healthier, more resilient agricultural and food system.
Nationwide, the USDA has significantly increased financial assistance for the Regenerative Pilot Program in fiscal year 2027, scaling the total investment from $700 million to $1 billion. The program continues to place a heavy emphasis on whole-farm planning to maximize the ecological potential of working lands. This strategy focuses on restoring and enhancing soil health and optimizing water management across entire farming operations under a single, cohesive conservation framework. To fund this second year of expanded regenerative agriculture projects, the USDA is dedicating $650 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and an additional $350 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
A key benefit of the initiative is its flexibility. Producers have the ability to bundle multiple regenerative practices into a single application, which streamlines the administrative process and increases operational flexibility for farms of varying sizes and scopes. The program is intentionally designed to accommodate both beginning and advanced agricultural producers, ensuring that assistance remains widely accessible for any farmer who is ready to take the next progressive step in incorporating regenerative agriculture into their daily land management strategies.
Other Fiscal Year 2027 Improvements
For the 2027 fiscal year, the program maintains its foundational focus on whole-farm planning while successfully reducing operational barriers to entry. Notably, the requirement for addressing Ohio’s identified critical soil and water resource concerns has been lowered from 100 percent of the applicant’s land down to 75 percent specifically for the Conservation Stewardship Program. This adjustment is intended to improve operational flexibility for farmers without sacrificing environmental outcomes or diluting the overall effectiveness of the initiative.
By implementing these changes, the program preserves the core conservation goals and outcome-based approach established during the fiscal year 2026 pilot phase, while simultaneously giving producers and local conservation staff greater flexibility in how specific environmental outcomes are measured and achieved. Furthermore, the program provides multiple monitoring and evaluation options that are carefully tailored to accommodate the distinct needs of cropland, grazing lands, and forestry operations alike.
How to Apply
Farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who are interested in adopting regenerative agriculture practices are strongly encouraged to apply through their local USDA NRCS Service Center. While producers have the ability to sign up and submit inquiries anytime throughout the year, Ohio producers who wish to be considered for funding during the current fiscal year must submit their applications by December 18, 2026. Importantly, applications for both EQIP and CSP can be streamlined and submitted through the single regenerative application process.
For more than 90 years, the NRCS has partnered with farmers, ranchers, and private landowners to make vital investments in their agricultural operations and surrounding local communities. These efforts are consistently directed toward improving the quality of air, water, soil, and wildlife habitats across the American landscape. Utilizing the latest science and technology, the agency works to keep working lands working productively, boost regional agricultural economies, and increase the domestic and global competitiveness of American agriculture.
Through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs, the NRCS provides one-on-one technical advice and financial assistance, working collaboratively with producers to help them achieve their individual operational and environmental goals. Additional information regarding these programs and local application procedures can be accessed by visiting the official NRCS website.
