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119-hr-2638119th CongressWALLET

Women in Agriculture Act

Sponsored By: Representative Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]

In Committee

Summary

Creates a Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison at USDA to advocate for women who farm and ranch and help them access USDA programs. It also directs USDA research toward ergonomically designed farm equipment for women and gives priority to loans and grants that address childcare in agricultural and rural communities.

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  • Women who farm and ranch get a named USDA advocate who helps explain program eligibility, assists with applications, and raises their concerns in USDA interactions.
  • The Liaison must publish an annual report to Congress with data on grants, loans, loan guarantees, and cost-share awards to woman-owned agricultural operations and on women's representation across USDA offices.
  • USDA can fund research and extension to develop and widely share equipment and machinery ergonomically designed for women, and must give priority in certain loans and grants to projects that improve childcare availability, quality, or cost in rural and agricultural areas.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants for women-friendly farm equipment

The bill would add a high-priority research and extension area for farm equipment designed to fit women. USDA could fund grants to design, test, and share ergonomic tools and machines. If enacted, these grants would be available after enactment and could support training and outreach.

USDA liaison to help women farmers

This bill would create a Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison at USDA within 120 days of enactment. The Liaison would help women find programs, check eligibility, and apply. The Liaison would advocate for women at USDA and promote women in leadership. The office could fund research, training, mentoring, and internships through contracts. A public report would be due within 1 year and every year after, showing loans and grants to woman-owned farms and USDA’s gender makeup by office.

Priority for rural childcare projects

In choosing some USDA rural development loans and grants, this bill would require priority for childcare projects. Qualified applicants who plan to improve childcare access, quality, or cost in farm or rural areas would move up in selection. This could steer more funding to childcare centers, co-ops, or providers in rural communities.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]

NM • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 4/3/2025

  • Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 4/3/2025

  • Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 4/3/2025

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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