State Flower: Saguaro Cactus Flower
Updates in 2026:
- HB2590 [LS] Appropriation; university of Arizona; agriculture; Appropriates $2,500,000 to the University of Arizona for an agricultural efficiency and water resource optimization project; includes “Identification of innovative practices that reduce water consumption and improve soil health to enhance the sustainability of agriculture in desert areas”
Updates in 2025:
- HB2223 [LS] Wind farms; construction; policies; procedures; includes implementation of soil health practices by owner of wind farm – stalled in House
- HB2952 [LS] Environment; 2025-2026; Establishes the Agriculture & Water Innovation Fund pilot program; awards grants for technologies that improve water use efficiency by improving soil health – passed and vetoed 6/25/2025
- SB1150 [LS] Wind farms; construction; policies; procedures; Renewable energy incentive/wind farm bill; decommissioning must remove or remediate contaminated soil and consult resource conservation districts on soil‑erosion prevention and soil health practices; instructs owners of wind farms to implement healthy soils practices to “prevent erosion, improve soil organic matter, soil structure and its water-holding capacity.” – died in Senate chamber
- SB1740 [LS] 2025-2026; environment; Environmental appropriations bill; replicates HB2952’s Agriculture & Water Innovation Fund pilot program – passed and signed 6/27/2025
Updates in 2024:
None
Updates in 2023:
None
Updates in 2022:
None
Updates in 2021:
- HB2079 [LS] Conservation districts; water; invasive vegetation; Invasive species eradication, amended to include Soil Health Program – – passed on 4/7/2021 and signed by Governor Doug Ducey on 4/9/2021
Legislative Information
Date:
Introduced January 12, 2021
Signed into law April 7, 2021
Legislation:
Sponsors:
Program Summary
Description:
This bill amends existing Arizona statute pertaining to the powers and duties of the state’s Natural Resource Conservation Districts to include creation and administration of a Soil Health Program “that promotes implementation of soil health practices, research projects, demonstration projects, educational projects or other activities”.
It also directs districts to increase public awareness of soil health pract
Soil Health Definitions:
N/a
Stated Goals:
“To promote the continuing capacity for soil to function as a vital living biological system that sustains plants, animals and humans, increased soil organic matter, improved soil structure, water-holding and nutrient-holding capacity or nutrient cycling.”
Program Required Measurements:
N/A
Tools & Guidance:
N/A
Funding Sources
Founding Source/s:
Funding is provided through the Conservation Districts. In addition, districts can accept “donations, gifts and contributions” from multiple sources.
Funding Type/s:
N/A
Practices Eligible for Funding:
N/A
Lessons Learned
- The Arizona Association of Conservation Districts provided a first draft of the bill and joined forces with the Farm Bureau in contacting the sponsor.
- Coalition building was central to the organizing effort. The Farm Bureau was integral in getting the bill through with help from additional supporters.
- Focus outreach on educating legislators and agricultural organizations about the importance of a soil health program for producers.
- The Agricultural Resilience Act played a big role in making the case for getting a state soil health program in place to receive potential federal funds. This argument –to open up federal funds– proved to be the most persuasive.
- Be prepared to try different angles, e.g. writing soil health into existing programs or statute for conservation districts, or creating a whole new bill.
- Connect with other states that have soil health programs or are working on similar bills. The national movement for soil health is very supportive and people are happy to help with anything from drafting language to giving encouragement.
- To build support and grow the coalition, reach out to everyone and anyone you know working on soil health, ask for connections and follow up!
- The political process can be slow and frustrating, but don’t give up.
Agencies Involved
Arizona State Land Department
State Universities & Researchers
Agricultural Organizations & Technical Assistance
Education & Advocacy Groups
Media & Additional Resources
N/A
Page Last Updated: 03/26/2026