The Soil CARE Act directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a training program to teach its staff and third-party providers about the latest methods for improving soil health on farms. The goal is to help farmers understand and implement ways to regenerate their farmland by managing soil biology, like microbes and insects, to improve soil structure, nutrient cycling, and pest control.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
The Soil CARE Act directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a training program to teach its staff and third-party providers about the latest methods for improving soil health on farms. The goal is to help farmers understand and implement ways to regenerate their farmland by managing soil biology, like microbes and insects, to improve soil structure, nutrient cycling, and pest control.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Soil Conservation And Regeneration Education Act of 2023 or the Soil CARE Act of 2023</strong></p><p>This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a training program for biological soil health management in Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs.</p><p>Under the bill,<em> biological soil health management</em> means land management methods used 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.</p><p>The training program must (1) provide education, resources, and technical support to USDA personnel and third-party providers on the rapidly evolving methodologies, science, and practices for improving soil health; and (2) assist USDA personnel and third-party providers in supporting agricultural producers in understanding and implementing biological soil health management systems that regenerate farmland.</p><p>The training program must be available twice every two years in each NRCS region and include both an online curriculum and in-person training workshops.</p><p>The training program must be developed and delivered through cooperative agreements with entities with biological soil health management systems expertise and experience working with and training producers.</p><p>The bill includes minimum curriculum requirements for the training program, including specific units on soil health and diversified production systems.</p><p>USDA must review and update the training program curriculum every two years.</p><!--tinycomments|2.1|data:application/json;base64,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-->
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Establishes a training program for USDA staff and third-party providers on biological soil health management techniques
Aims to help farmers adopt practices that improve soil structure, nutrient cycling, and pest control through managing soil biology
Requires the training program to be offered twice every two years in each NRCS region, with both online and in-person components
Mandates regular review and updates to the training curriculum
Developed and delivered through cooperative agreements with entities experienced in soil health systems
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
If passed, this bill would directly benefit farmers by providing them with expanded access to training and technical support on regenerative soil health practices. It could lead to more widespread adoption of these methods, which can improve the long-term productivity and sustainability of farmland across the country.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Agriculture and Food
Related Subjects
Agricultural conservation and pollution
Agricultural education
Agricultural practices and innovations
Agricultural research
Farmland
Higher education
Public-private cooperation
Soil pollution
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
3023, 119th Congress (2025). "Safe Cloud Storage Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-3023