S. 3820 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Feb 10, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryAgriculture Department trains staff on soil health
The bill directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to set up a training program that teaches its employees and outside experts how to help farmers improve their soil. The training covers soil health management—techniques that boost soil quality by supporting helpful organisms and natural processes that strengthen soil structure, cycle nutrients, fight pests, and clean up contaminated land. The program will include online courses and in-person workshops offered at least twice every two years in each region, with the curriculum updated every two years to keep up with new science.
How it affects you
Farmers and agricultural producers would benefit most directly, gaining access to better guidance on soil health practices that can regenerate their farmland. NRCS staff and technical advisers who work with farmers would also be affected, as they'd receive training to provide more informed support. Most people won't notice a direct change, though improved soil health could eventually support more productive and sustainable farming across the country.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Feb 10, 2026)
Soil Conservation And Regeneration Education Act of 2026 or the Soil CARE Act of 2026
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a training program for soil health management in Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs.
Under the bill, soil health management means land management methods used to increase and balance soil health, 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.
The training program must (1) provide education, resources, and technical support to NRCS personnel and third-party providers on the rapidly evolving methodologies, science, and practices for improving soil health; and (2) assist NRCS personnel and third-party providers in supporting agricultural producers in understanding and implementing soil health management systems that regenerate farmland.
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.
The training program must be developed and delivered through cooperative agreements with entities with soil health management systems expertise and experience working with and training producers.
The bill includes minimum curriculum requirements for the training program, including specific units on soil health and diversified production systems.
USDA must review and update the training program curriculum and materials every two years.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionS. 3820
A BILL
Soil CARE Act of 2026
Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) · Introduced Feb 10, 2026 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 10, 2026: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.”