H.R. 4865: Advancing Research on Agricultural Soil Health Act of 2025

The Advancing Research on Agricultural Soil Health Act of 2025 focuses on improving methods for measuring and reporting soil carbon levels, which is important for both agricultural health and environmental sustainability. The bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to develop standardized methodologies for directly measuring soil carbon within 270 days of enactment. This includes conducting a review of existing measurement methods and consulting with a diverse group of stakeholders such as farmers, scientists, and nonprofit organizations. The developed methodology will aim to be applicable across various agricultural settings and incorporate relevant soil health metrics.

Voluntary Reporting and Assistance

The bill establishes provisions for voluntary soil carbon reporting, wherein the Secretary will provide technical assistance to producers who wish to measure and report their soil carbon data. This assistance will be available in multiple languages and formats to ensure accessibility. The guidance will apply to producers receiving grants under certain agricultural programs as well as those who voluntarily choose to report their data.

Ongoing Updates and Research

To ensure the methods remain up-to-date, the Secretary is required to periodically review and update both the measurement methodology and guidance based on the best available science. The bill also allocates funding of $2 million per fiscal year for these efforts.

Soil Health Demonstration Projects

The act allows the Secretary to conduct soil carbon sequestration demonstration projects on farms, which are intended to promote effective soil health management systems. These projects will be designed to maintain or increase soil carbon levels and provide tools for monitoring and verifying these practices over a period of five years.

Soil Carbon Inventory and Analysis

A key component of the bill is the establishment of a Soil Carbon Inventory and Analysis Network, which will monitor and analyze changes in soil carbon on eligible lands across the United States. The Secretary will conduct a comprehensive inventory every five years, incorporating data from sample sites to assess soil carbon stocks and the impact of management practices on these levels. The inventory will also include protections for private property rights and will not require participation for eligibility in agricultural programs.

Predictive Modeling Tools

The act directs the Secretary to create tools that predict the impacts of various land management practices on soil carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. These tools will have to account for various factors affecting land use outcomes and must be user-friendly and accessible to both producers and researchers.

Reporting and Accountability

Annual reports will be submitted to Congress detailing the progress on the modeling tools, their accuracy, and the efficacy of the developed methodologies. Additionally, the Secretary will ensure that data collected is maintained securely, respecting privacy requirements while still allowing for academic and research access to aggregate data for analysis.

Funding and Appropriations

The act authorizes appropriations for its various components, including $17.5 million each fiscal year for the inventory and analysis program as well as $500,000 for the development of modeling tools.

Relevant Companies

• DE - Deere & Company: As a major manufacturer of agricultural machinery, Deere could be impacted by changes in agricultural practices related to soil health and carbon sequestration, particularly as farmers adapt their operations based on new regulations and methodologies for soil management.
• CF - CF Industries Holdings, Inc.: This company is involved in producing fertilizers, which may see changes in demand based on new soil health practices encouraged by the legislation.
• BG - Bunge Limited: As a global agribusiness and food company, Bunge could be indirectly impacted through shifts in agricultural practices that this bill promotes regarding soil management.