S. 3820 — Soil CARE Act of 2026

This section clarifies that the Secretary may request services from agencies within the Department of Agriculture (previously, "the Department") or non-Federal entities to provide technical assistance for conservation programs and establishes a training program on soil health management (i.e., land management methods to increase soil biology for improved biological functions such as nutrient cycling and pest control) for Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) personnel and third-party providers. The training program, to be established no later than one year after enactment, requires (1) a nationally available online curriculum and in-person workshops—each available in every NRCS region twice every two years—developed and delivered through cooperative agreements with entities such as producer cooperatives, nonprofits serving regenerative producers, conservation districts, land-grant institutions, and Long-Term Agroecosystem Research sites; (2) encouragement, including schedules, for relevant NRCS field staff and third-party providers to complete the online curriculum and attend at least one workshop; (3) continuing education on new soil health-related conservation standards; and (4) provision of soil health education materials to producers. The minimum curriculum covers (1) NRCS principles of soil health emphasizing biology and regional context; (2) transitioning to soil-building systems, including operations, finance, and opportunities like reduced input costs; (3) organic production; (4) diversified systems such as perennial crops, agroforestry, livestock integration, and prescribed grazing; and (5) research on soil biology in regenerative agriculture and its impacts on soil health and water quality. (Thus, the program aims to equip technical assistance providers to better support producers in adopting regenerative practices under Farm Bill conservation programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.)