Review enacted legislation, model language, and policy frameworks from across the country.
While there is no single authoritative model healthy soils bill, a number of organizations have developed model legislative language, policy design frameworks, and comparative analyses that can help advocates craft legislation suited to their state's legal, political, and administrative context. The resources below provide complementary approaches - from model statutory language to implementation guidance and analyses of enacted state policies.
Many states build from a small number of widely replicated definitions. These are good starting points for drafting legislation. It is critically important to define soil health/healthy soils. Definitions will help maintain the integrity of resulting programs, help educate policy makers and advance the conversation. During the drafting process it is important to ask questions about how things are going with soil health efforts in the state and what advocates and practitioners see as the obstacles, gaps and opportunities.
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Healthy Soils - ****CA (2016), HI (2017), MA (2019), ME (2021)
Soils that enhance their continuing capacity to function as a biological system, increase soil organic matter, improve soil structure and water- and nutrient-holding capacity, and result in net long-term greenhouse gas benefits.
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Healthy Soils Practices - CO (2021)
“Soil health practices” means those practices that may contribute to soil health or apply one of the following principles that promote soil health: (a) maximizing soil cover; (b) reducing soil disturbance; (c) maximizing biodiversity; (d) maintaining a continual live plant or root in the soil; or (e) integrating best grazing livestock practices.
Note: If advocates determine it’s prudent to include language defining “healthy soils practices,” it’s best to limit the definition to principles.
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More Definitions
Follow this link for a more extensive exploration of language variations and related strategic considerations: Model Language & Key Definitions
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Here you can browse enacted healthy soils legislation from across the country to compare policy approaches, statutory language, and program design. While no single bill is appropriate for every state, these examples provide a rich source of ideas and proven approaches that can be adapted to different legal, political, and agricultural contexts.
The National Network maintains this national directory of successful State Healthy Soils legislation. Please send any additions, corrections or additions to the Network Coordinator at [email protected]
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Click on a piece of legislation to view additional details that we have on file, including full bill language. Use the drop-down/slider tab at the top of the menu below to select different categories.
State Healthy Soils Programs
Create state programs that promote soil health through incentives, education, and technical assistance.
Task Forces & Commissions
Establish task forces or advisory groups to study, plan, or coordinate soil health efforts.
Conservation District Initiatives
Strengthen the authority or funding for Conservation Districts to advance soil health.
Funding bills
Provide public funding to support healthy soils initiatives.
Resolutions/Proclamations
Designate symbolic observances to raise awareness of soil health.
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Related link: Read more about Healthy Soils Policy: Types & Strategic Value
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About the National Healthy Soils Policy Network: A network of farmer-led organizations working to advance policies that support healthy soils and climate-friendly agriculture. We serve as a hub for model policies, organizing tools, and farmer-driven narratives shaping a just and resilient agricultural future.
The National Network is a project of the California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN). To learn more or get involved, please visit:
National Healthy Soils Policy Network
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