On July 1st 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced a national innovation challenge with up to $30 million in total prize funding. The challenge will support practical, cost-effective alternatives to conventional chemical crop desiccation, the common practice of spraying pesticides to dry out crops in the final days before harvest.
This effort is rooted in the goal to help American farmers bring in their harvest with fewer conventional chemicals while protecting human health and the environment. The approach looks to favor both American families, who will get food grown with fewer conventional pesticides, and American farmers, who get new science-based tools that lower costs, protect their workers and keep agriculture strong and competitive in the global market.
Many of the solutions expected go hand in hand with regenerative agriculture. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices like smarter crop timing, natural drying methods, and precision technology can do the same job as chemical sprays with far less of them and at less cost to farmers.
The Request for Information (RFI) released by the EPA will shape the design of the challenge: including its scope, who can take part, how entries will be judged, and how new ideas will be tested in the field. EPA is particularly interested in cost-effective solutions that maintain or improve harvest readiness, crop quality, and operational efficiency across a range of crop systems, including small grains, pulses, oilseeds, potatoes, and cotton.
Possible alternatives include:
- Improved agronomic practices and crop scheduling
- Mechanical or physical drying methods
- Biological or lower-risk inputs
- Precision agriculture technologies
- Post-harvest conditioning innovations
EPA is seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders, including growers, producer organizations, equipment manufacturers, researchers, public health experts, environmental organizations, Tribes and territories, state and local agencies, and any interested member of the public. Instructions for submission and additional details can be found in the docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2026-3862. Comment submissions are accepted until September 30th 2026.
At SynTech Research, innovation is at our core and we welcome this opportunity to innovate and bring new solutions to the American market. We are equipped to build dossiers that are built for successful approval and seamless entry to market.
Interested in learning how SynTech Research could help with this challenge? Email info@syntechresearch.com with the subject line “EPA American Farmers Challenge”.