Support Water-Efficient Strategies and Technologies Act of 2025

This legislation aims to bolster agricultural conservation efforts by amending the Food Security Act of 1985, primarily focusing on water efficiency and sustainable land management. It authorizes increased financial incentives for producers who implement drought-resilient or water-saving practices , allowing payments to cover up to 85 percent of the associated costs for planning, materials, installation, and training. Eligible practices include those that enable production in water-deficient environments, conserve surface or groundwater, reduce runoff, increase rain absorption, or facilitate the transition from irrigated to non-irrigated farming systems. The bill also expands the scope of Conservation Stewardship Program payments, clarifying how income forgone by producers, including increased economic risk and revenue loss from production changes or transitions to resource-conserving systems, is calculated. Furthermore, the measure introduces and defines perennial production systems , such as agroforestry and perennial forages, making them eligible for supplemental payments under resource-conserving management. It also establishes a payment limitation of $200,000 over five years for individuals or entities, while directing the Secretary to prioritize soil health by encouraging contracts for soil improvement and offering payments for soil health testing to assess carbon sequestration impacts.