The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reinstated a five-year, $59 million grant to the University of Idaho aimed at helping farmers test regenerative production and new marketing methods.

The Innovative Agriculture and Marketing Partnership will resume after federal officials halted it in 2025.

Erin Brooks, professor of soil and water systems at the University of Idaho, said he expects the program to be popular among Idaho producers.

“We anticipate about 200 growers will be involved in enrolling across the state," Brooks explained. "We are focused on seven commodities in the particular grant, including wheat, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, chickpeas and beef.”

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Brooks added it is the largest grant ever at the University of Idaho.

Under the revised plan, $3.5 million will go toward direct payments of up to $7,500 a year for participating producers to try marketing approaches tied to regenerative agriculture. Another $450,000 is set aside for larger projects involving groups or businesses.

Eligible practices include reduced tillage, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, intercropping, the use of biochar and reducing synthetic fertilizers in favor of organic nutrient sources.

Brooks noted researchers will collect data on how the practices affect farm profitability, soil health and resilience.

“Part of it is, we incentivize producers to implement conservation practices that we particularly think will be beneficial in the long term and in the short term,” Brooks emphasized.

The program plans to host field events across the state to show the public the practices on the ground. Data generated through the partnership will be shared at grower meetings, field days, regional conferences and other events for Idaho farmers.