Healthier soil for more productive crops and pastures

Beginning October 1, 2026, Jackson County agricultural producers and other eligible landowners can receive a 50% rebate—up to $5,000—for projects that address a soil health concern through an eligible new practice.

The Soil Health Rebate is designed to help landowners try a new/different approach to improving their soil, protecting valuable topsoil and supporting crop or pasture production. Existing practices are not eligible.

Email Josh at josh.bilbao@jswcd.org
Or Phone: 541-423-6172

Program at a Glance

• Reimbursement for 50% of eligible project costs
• Maximum rebate of $5,000
• Intended primarily for Jackson County agricultural producers
• Must address an identified soil health concern
• Must introduce at least one eligible practice not already in use
• Pre- and post-project soil health testing required

Does This Sound Familiar?

Is your soil compacted or difficult to work? Does irrigation water or rainfall run off instead of soaking in? Does the ground dry out quickly? Are you losing topsoil to wind or water—or are crops and pastures not producing as expected?

These may be signs of a soil health concern. Depending on your land, current management and goals, a new soil-building practice may help improve growing conditions, retain moisture and reduce erosion.

Why Soil Health Matters

Soil health describes the continued ability of soil to function as a living ecosystem that supports plants, animals and people.

Soil is more than a growing medium. It is home to bacteria, fungi and other organisms that help cycle nutrients, build soil structure and support plant growth. Healthy, functioning soil can:

• Absorb and retain more water
• Make more water available to plants during dry periods
• Cycle and store nutrients
• Provide air space for root growth
• Reduce runoff and erosion
• Protect water quality
• Support more stable crop and pasture production
• Recover more effectively from drought, heavy rainfall and temperature extremes

Improving soil health takes time. The goal of the rebate is to help landowners begin using practices that support steady improvement over time.

Who May Qualify?

The Soil Health Rebate is intended primarily for agricultural producers in Jackson County. No particular type of agriculture is being prioritized. Potential projects may involve livestock, hay and pasture, specialty crops, orchards, vineyards or other agricultural land uses.

Other Jackson County landowners may also qualify if their project addresses a soil health concern through an eligible agricultural practice.

The rebate is intended to support the introduction of new practices. It does not reimburse landowners for continuing practices that are already part of their current management.

For example, someone already using cover crops would not be eligible for reimbursement simply to continue the same cover-crop practice. However, another eligible practice that is new to their management may still be considered.

How the Rebate Works

Participants can be reimbursed for 50% of eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $5,000. Participants are responsible for the remaining project costs and any costs above the maximum rebate amount.

All eligible projects require soil health testing before and after implementation. Testing will follow the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activity 216 guidelines. Pre- and post-project testing will help document soil conditions and changes over time.

Contact JSWCD before purchasing materials or beginning work. Projects must be developed with JSWCD staff to ensure that proposed practices and expenses meet program requirements.

If a proposed project is larger than this rebate is designed to support, JSWCD may also be able to help the landowner explore other funding opportunities.

Start with a Conversation

Every property and agricultural operation is different. The first step is to talk with Agriculture Resource Conservationist Josh Bilbao about:

• What you are seeing on your land
• The soil concern you want to address
• Practices you currently use
• What you would like to improve
• Whether the Soil Health Rebate could be a fit

JSWCD is a non-regulatory agency that works with landowners on voluntary projects.

Josh Bilbao
Agriculture Resource Conservationist
Phone: 541-423-6172
Email: josh.bilbao@jswcd.org

Four Principles for Healthier Soil

Eligible projects will be built around four main soil health principles.

Less Disturbance

Frequent or intensive tillage can break apart soil structure and disturb the organisms living below the surface. Reducing unnecessary disturbance can help protect soil structure, organic matter and the spaces that allow air and water to move through the soil.

No Bare Ground

Growing plants or mulch can protect the soil surface from wind, heavy rain and excessive heat. Keeping soil covered can slow runoff, reduce erosion and help retain moisture.

Greater Plant Diversity

Growing a wider variety of crops and other plants can support a more diverse soil ecosystem. Crop rotations, cover-crop mixes and other combinations of plants may also improve nutrient cycling and reduce pest and disease pressures.

Living Roots for More of the Year

Living roots feed the organisms that help soil function. Keeping plants growing for more of the year can support soil biology, improve nutrient cycling and help maintain soil structure between primary crops or grazing periods.