SOIL Stewardship Act

Strengthening Our Investment in Land Stewardship Act or the SOIL Stewardship Act

This bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to reauthorize and modify Department of Agriculture conservation programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program.

The bill addresses requirements for the programs relating to:

• enrollment and funding levels,
• the length and renewal process for contracts,
• payment rates,
• payment limitations,
• coordinating the application and enrollment processes for the two programs,
• set-asides and the enrollment process for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers,
• soil health and carbon storage, and
• wildlife conservation and organic production.