Three Federal Agencies Pledge $1 Billion for Farm Modernization Push
April 4, 2026 · 2 min read
David Almeida
The Department of Health and Human Services, USDA, and EPA jointly announced more than $1 billion in coordinated investments aimed at farm modernization and long-term food supply security. The initiative spans three pillars: understanding the health risks of agricultural chemicals, investing in regenerative farming practices, and clearing regulatory barriers for private-sector innovation.
Where the Money Is Going
USDA is committing the largest share. The agency will direct $400 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and $300 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for regenerative agriculture projects in FY2026. An additional $140 million flows through the Strengthening Agricultural Systems program under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, funding large-scale research on new agricultural markets, pest and disease solutions, and diet-related chronic disease.
EPA is contributing $30 million for a grand prize challenge seeking cost-effective alternatives to pre-harvest pesticide desiccation. The three agencies will also jointly develop a research framework for evaluating cumulative chemical exposure in the food supply.
What Agricultural Grant Seekers Should Know
The EQIP and CSP funding will flow through USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service at the state level, meaning applicants should contact their local NRCS office to begin the process. The $140 million AFRI Strengthening Agricultural Systems competition accepts proposals for projects between $2.5 million and $10 million — a scale suited to university-led consortia and research institutions.
For the EPA pesticide alternatives challenge, details are still emerging, but organizations with existing work in biological pest control, precision agriculture, or integrated pest management should watch EPA's grants page for the formal solicitation.
This is the largest coordinated federal investment in agricultural innovation since the Inflation Reduction Act's conservation provisions. Researchers and producers can track related funding opportunities on grantedai.com.