Training for regenerative agriculture in NRCS programs

(a)

Establishment of Training Program

Section 1242 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842) is amended— (1)in subsection (a)— (A)by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs (3) and (5), respectively; (B)by inserting before paragraph (3) (as so redesignated) the following:

(1)

Biological soil health management

The term biological soil health management means land management methods that are employed to increase and balance soil biology, 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. (2)

Department

The term Department means the Department of Agriculture.

; and

(C)by inserting after paragraph (3) (as so redesignated) the following:

(4)

Soil biology

The term soil biology includes the collective biomass and activities of soil-dwelling organisms from an array of trophic levels.

; and

(2)by adding at the end the following:

(j)

Training for biological soil health management in NRCS programs

(1)

Establishment of training program

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Soil CARE Act of 2023, the Secretary shall establish a training program (referred to in this subsection as the training program)— (A)to provide education, resources, and technical support to Department personnel and third-party providers on the rapidly evolving methodologies, science, and practices for improving soil health; and (B)to assist Department personnel and third-party providers in supporting agricultural producers in understanding and implementing biological soil health management systems that regenerate farmland. (2)

Program development and delivery

(A)

In general

The training program shall— (i)be made available in each Natural Resources Conservation Service region twice every 2 years; and (ii)include— (I)a nationally available online curriculum on biological soil health management systems that is— (aa)developed through cooperative agreements with entities described in subparagraph (B); and (bb)delivered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service; and (II)in-person training workshops on biological soil health management systems that regenerate farmland, that— (aa)include coverage across regions and geography types; (bb)are developed through cooperative agreements with entities described in subparagraph (B); and (cc)are delivered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. (B)

Cooperative agreements

(i)

In general

The training program shall be developed and delivered through cooperative agreements with entities with biological soil health management systems expertise and experience working with and training producers, including— (I)farming consultants, including producers and producer cooperatives; (II)nonprofit organizations serving organic, agroecological, and other regenerative producers; (III)conservation districts; (IV)land-grant colleges and universities (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)); (V)Long-Term Agroecosystem Research sites; and (VI)other entities with adequate expertise in biological soil health management systems, as determined by the Secretary. (ii)

Initial agreements

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Soil CARE Act of 2023, the Secretary shall enter into cooperative agreements under clause (i) for the initial development and delivery of the training program. (C)

Participation

(i)

In general

The Secretary shall encourage relevant Department personnel and third-party providers— (I)to complete the online curriculum described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I); and (II)to the extent practicable, to attend at least 1 in-person training workshop described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(II). (ii)

Relevant Department personnel

For purposes of clause (i), relevant Department personnel shall include, at a minimum, Department personnel involved in conservation planning activities with, and the delivery of technical assistance to, producers, including field office staff of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. (iii)

Completion schedules for third-party providers

(I)

Establishment of schedules

The Secretary shall establish— (aa)a schedule for the completion by third-party providers of the online curriculum described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I); and (bb)a schedule of in-person training workshops that will be provided in accordance with subparagraph (A)(ii)(II). (II)

Use of schedules

The Secretary shall encourage each third-party provider— (aa)to complete the online curriculum in accordance with the schedule established under subclause (I)(aa); and (bb)to the extent practicable, to attend at least 1 training workshop identified on the schedule established under subclause (I)(bb). (D)

Continuing education

The Secretary shall provide continuing education for relevant Department personnel and third-party providers, with a focus on the use of new conservation practice standards related to soil health. (E)

Materials for producers

The Secretary shall require relevant Department personnel and third-party providers to provide soil health education materials to producers through the programs and conservation activities of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, including materials relating to the topics covered by the curriculum described in paragraph (3). (3)

Curriculum

(A)

In general

The training program shall include the following minimum curriculum components: (i)A unit on the principles of soil health published by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, with a focus on biological function and regional context. (ii)A unit on— (I)the transition to agriculture management systems that build soil health, including operations, infrastructure, regulations, finance, and marketing needs; and (II)associated risks and opportunities, including reducing input costs by building on-farm and ranch fertility. (iii)A unit on organic production and soil health systems. (iv)A unit on diversified production systems, including— (I)perennial cropping systems; (II)agroforestry or silvopasture systems; (III)livestock integration into cropping systems; and (IV)prescribed grazing. (v)A unit on the body of research on soil biology and agriculture that regenerates farmland, including potential impacts on soil health, water quality and security, biodiversity, ecosystem function, resilience to extreme weather, carbon sequestration, and agricultural profitability. (vi)A unit on key conservation practices that maximize soil health and mitigate climate impacts by implementing soil health principles. (vii)A unit on— (I)issues specific to Indian Tribes; and (II)traditional ecological knowledge. (viii)A unit on— (I)the special needs of new, small scale, and underserved producers; and (II)how best to meet those needs. (ix)A unit on approaches, tools, and skills to support farmers in performing soil health tests. (x)A unit on all conservation programs available to producers that improve soil health, reduce production inputs, and regenerate soil, farmland, and nearby ecosystems. (B)

Updates

The Secretary shall review and update the curriculum of the training program every 2 years based on the latest— (i)biological soil health management innovations; and (ii)scientific and technological advancements. (4)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.