SOIL Act

The SOIL Act (HR 8754) increases financial support for farmers and ranchers participating in USDA conservation programs who implement practices that simultaneously improve soil health and wildlife habitat. It raises payments under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to 90% of costs for 26 specific conservation practices, such as planting cover crops, restoring wetlands, establishing riparian buffers, and using no-till farming. The bill also modifies the Conservation Stewardship Program to prioritize contracts addressing both soil and wildlife concerns and introduces "co-benefit activities" that must enhance wildlife habitat while increasing soil carbon sequestration. These changes directly affect agricultural producers enrolled in these USDA programs by providing greater financial incentives for integrated conservation efforts.