# 119-hr-2638: Women in Agriculture Act

119-hr-2638, Women in Agriculture Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3] (D-NM); status in_committee; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2638
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-2638
- Congress: 119
- Title: Women in Agriculture Act
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-04-03
- Sponsor: Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3] (D-NM)
- Cosponsors: 4
- Policy area: Agriculture and Food
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## 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. - 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.

## Cosponsors (4)

- Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2] (R-VA), 2025-04-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1] (D-ME), 2025-04-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2] (D-NC), 2025-04-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1] (R-PA), 2025-04-10T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Grants for women-friendly farm equipment: benefit, low. 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: benefit, low. 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, mentori…
- Priority for rural childcare projects: benefit, low. 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-op…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act
- 119-hr-4206: CONNECT for Health Act of 2025
- 119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-hr-6766: Essential Caregivers Act of 2025
- 119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act
- 119-hr-3184: PFAS Alternatives Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-2638 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2638)

## Related
- [119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7977)
- [119-hr-4206: CONNECT for Health Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4206)
- [119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3151)
- [119-hr-6766: Essential Caregivers Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-6766)
- [119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1262)
- [119-hr-3184: PFAS Alternatives Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3184)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2638 (as of 2026-04-21).