USDA, EPA, and HHS Commit Over $1 Billion to Farm Modernization
March 20, 2026 · 2 min read
Jared Klein
The Trump administration unveiled a multiagency plan committing more than $1 billion across USDA, EPA, and HHS to accelerate farm modernization, reduce chemical exposure in the food supply, and strengthen long-term food security. The investment spans regenerative agriculture incentives, a new pesticide-alternative prize challenge, and a cross-agency research framework on chemical contaminants.
$700 Million in USDA Conservation Grants
The largest slice goes to USDA, which is dedicating $400 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and $300 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to fund regenerative agriculture projects in FY26. These programs provide direct financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers adopting soil health practices, cover cropping, and nutrient management.
A separate $140 million Strengthening Agricultural Systems Program will support new uses and markets for agricultural products, innovative pest and disease solutions, and research into diet-related chronic disease.
EPA Launches $30 Million Pesticide Alternative Challenge
EPA will invest $30 million in a grand prize challenge seeking cost-effective alternatives to pre-harvest desiccation pesticides — chemicals applied to crops shortly before harvest that are a significant source of human chemical exposure. The challenge targets innovators in agricultural technology, chemistry, and bioengineering who can develop viable replacements that maintain farmer productivity.
Cross-Agency Research on Food Supply Contaminants
Perhaps the most consequential long-term element is a new joint research framework. EPA, USDA, and NIH will develop evaluation methods for cumulative chemical exposure across the food supply, using New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to overcome prior barriers in understanding health and environmental risks from chemical contaminants.
What grant seekers should do now: Farmers and ranchers should contact their local USDA Service Center to apply for EQIP and CSP funding before FY26 allocations are committed. Ag-tech startups and university researchers developing pesticide alternatives should watch for the EPA challenge's formal solicitation on Challenge.gov. Grantedai.com's blog has additional analysis on positioning for these multiagency opportunities.