Rural Investment for Producers and the Environment (RIPE) Act of 2026

Summary

Creates a USDA demonstration program that pays producers for implementing conservation and production practices in selected watersheds. The program will contract with producers for 3–5 years, pay on a per‑acre and per‑animal‑unit basis to cover costs, income foregone, long‑term management, and environmental benefits (including greenhouse gas reductions), reserve funds and higher payments for limited‑resource or socially disadvantaged producers, and provide technical assistance and annual reporting to Congress. Funding is provided from the Commodity Credit Corporation for setup and three years of program funding.

• Creates a USDA demonstration program to pay producers for conservation and production practices in selected watersheds.
• Limits participation to up to 30 watersheds total, with up to 2 per State/territory (Tribal watersheds excluded from the 2‑per‑State cap).
• Contracts are 3–5 years and pay producers per acre and per animal unit to cover costs, income foregone, long‑term management, and environmental benefits.
• Payments reviewed annually; limited‑resource and socially disadvantaged producers receive a 15% higher payment and 10% of funds are reserved for them.
• Secretary must provide a simple application process, technical assistance, and comprehensive conservation planning (available from year two onward).
• USDA must report annually to congressional agriculture committees on enrollment, environmental and GHG outcomes, participant demographics, and barriers.
• Funding comes from the Commodity Credit Corporation: $1M for FY2026 setup and $150M each for FY2027–FY2029, available until expended.
• Program authorizes technical assistance from State/local governments, commercial providers, nonprofits, and third‑party providers.