Senate Bill 871 establishes a sustainable agriculture grant program administered by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to support farmers in implementing practices that reduce fossil fuel use and increase carbon storage on farmland. The bill outlines specific activities eligible for funding, including on-site fossil fuel efficiency measures, planting vegetation for carbon sequestration, and developing conservation management plans. However, grants cannot be awarded for projects on land in retirement programs, commercial forest land, or aquaculture projects, and farmers must apply for other relevant conservation programs before being eligible for these grants.

The bill emphasizes prioritizing grant recipients based on the potential reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide equivalents per dollar awarded, while also considering improvements to air and water quality and ensuring diverse participation from different regions and farm sizes. DATCP is authorized to use up to 20% of the appropriated funds for educational campaigns and technical assistance related to the grant program. Additionally, the bill mandates that grant recipients allow property access for monitoring and requires DATCP to maintain a public list of grant recipients and their project impacts. A biennial report to the legislature on the program's implementation and outcomes is also required.