Senate Draft Would Shift $1.9B From EQIP to Two New Programs

TL;DR: The Senate Farm Bill draft would temporarily redirect $1.9 billion away from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to fund two new conservation programs, the Forest Conservation Easement Program and the State Conservation Assistance Program, through FY2030. Senate Agriculture Chair John Boozman said the committee plans to take up the bill late next week, with no locked-in bipartisan deal in place.

Key takeaway

The Senate draft would move $1.9 billion out of EQIP through FY2030 to launch two new conservation programs focused on forests and state-level assistance.

What happened

The Senate Farm Bill draft would temporarily redirect $1.9 billion away from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), according to DTN Progressive Farmer analysis published July 29, 2026. EQIP is USDA's largest working-lands conservation program, paying farmers and ranchers to install practices on land they keep in production.

The redirected money would fund two new programs: the Forest Conservation Easement Program and the State Conservation Assistance Program. The shift is structured as temporary, running through FY2030.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman told reporters the committee plans to take up the farm bill late next week. As of July 29, no locked-in bipartisan deal exists ahead of the planned markup. You can track the committee's progress on our Senate status page.

Boozman said he is working closely with Sen. Amy Klobuchar to find a path forward, and expressed uncertainty about whether Sen. Mitch McConnell will return for the markup. See how the Senate draft compares to the House bill in our full bill summary.

What it means

The proposed shift changes where conservation dollars go, at least through FY2030. Farmers and ranchers who rely on EQIP for cost-share on practices such as cover crops, fencing, and irrigation efficiency could see a smaller pool of funds during that window.

Here is how the money would move under the draft:

• From EQIP: $1.9 billion redirected on a temporary basis.
• To Forest Conservation Easement Program: a new program targeting forested land through easements.
• To State Conservation Assistance Program: a new program channeling conservation support at the state level.

Because the shift is described as temporary and expires with FY2030, EQIP baseline funding would not be permanently reduced under this structure. For a program-by-program view of how conservation dollars are allocated, see our funding breakdown.

The details are subject to change. There is no locked-in bipartisan deal, so the $1.9 billion figure and the two new program structures could be amended during markup. Track how the Senate draft differs from the 2018 Farm Bill in our what's new comparison.

What's next

The Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to take up the farm bill late in the week beginning August 3, 2026, based on Boozman's statement. As of July 30, 2026, the specifics of the conservation title could still move before or during that markup.

Boozman said he is working with Klobuchar to build support, but the absence of a locked-in bipartisan deal means the conservation funding shift and other provisions may be contested. Attendance is also uncertain, with Boozman unsure whether McConnell will return for the markup.

Watch for amendments during markup that could adjust the $1.9 billion transfer or the design of the two new programs. Follow the process on our timeline and status page.

Frequently asked questions

How much money would the Senate Farm Bill draft take from EQIP?

The Senate Farm Bill draft would temporarily redirect $1.9 billion from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), according to DTN Progressive Farmer analysis published July 29, 2026. EQIP is USDA's largest working-lands conservation program. The shift is structured as temporary and runs through fiscal year 2030, so it would not permanently cut EQIP's baseline funding under the draft as written.

Where would the redirected EQIP money go?

The redirected $1.9 billion would flow to two new conservation programs: the Forest Conservation Easement Program and the State Conservation Assistance Program. The Forest Conservation Easement Program targets forested land through easements, and the State Conservation Assistance Program channels conservation support at the state level. Both are new initiatives created under the Senate Farm Bill draft, funded through fiscal year 2030.

When will the Senate Agriculture Committee mark up the farm bill?

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman told reporters the committee plans to take up the farm bill late next week, which points to the week beginning August 3, 2026. As of July 29, 2026, no locked-in bipartisan deal exists ahead of the planned markup. The timing and provisions could still change before the committee meets.

Is the $1.9 billion EQIP cut permanent?

No. The funding shift is structured as temporary and runs through fiscal year 2030, according to DTN Progressive Farmer. This means the $1.9 billion would be redirected from EQIP to the two new programs only through that window rather than as a permanent reduction to EQIP's baseline. The final terms could still change during committee markup.

Is there a bipartisan deal on the Senate Farm Bill?

No locked-in bipartisan deal exists ahead of the planned markup, as of July 29, 2026. Chair John Boozman said he is working closely with Sen. Amy Klobuchar to find a path forward. Boozman also expressed uncertainty about whether Sen. Mitch McConnell will return for the markup, adding to the uncertainty heading into the committee session.

Sources

• DTN Progressive Farmer , Senate Farm Bill would cut $1.9 billion from EQIP to fund new forest and state conservation programs, dated 2026-07-29.
• NOTUS , Boozman plans Senate Farm Bill markup without clear bipartisan deal, dated 2026-07-29.
• Agri-Pulse Daybreak , USDA wetland determinations rule takes effect, dated 2026-07-29.