The RIPE Act of 2026 establishes a new demonstration program that pays farmers and ranchers to adopt environmental conservation practices in selected watersheds across the country. The program targets agricultural producers in watersheds with significant farming activity, offering direct payments for practices that improve water quality, soil health, air quality, climate resilience, and wildlife habitat while potentially increasing yields. Contracts will last between three and five years, and the bill includes a 15 percent payment bonus for limited-resource and socially disadvantaged farmers. The Department of Agriculture will select no more than 30 eligible watersheds nationwide (with no more than two per state), must reserve at least 10 percent of funding for disadvantaged farmers, and will provide technical assistance to help producers implement conservation plans. The legislation allocates $1 million for fiscal year 2026 to establish the program and $150 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2029.
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