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119-hr-7562119th CongressWALLET

Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]

In Committee

Summary

Creates a new USDA Office of Small Farms to boost participation by small farms, ranches, and forest operations in USDA programs and to coordinate tailored grants, technical assistance, and outreach. It defines "small" by acreage (under 180 acres or a Secretary-set regional standard) or by income (under $350,000 in annual gross cash farm income).

Show full summary
  • Small operators get targeted help through technical assistance and a grant program that can award up to $25,000 per operator for equipment, repairs, uninsured losses, business planning, conservation adoption, land down payments, and other Secretary-approved uses.
  • States must name small farms coordinators who spend at least 50 percent of their time on small farm activities, deliver training, develop State plans, and link operators to USDA programs; USDA agencies must appoint liaisons to improve outreach and consistent service.
  • The Office must track participation and demographics, run an anonymous access hotline, coordinate across Federal and State agencies, and submit annual reports to Congress on program outcomes.

*Authorizes $15.0 million per year for administration and $10.0 million per year for technical assistance and grants for FY2027–2031, authorizing up to $25.0 million annually in appropriations.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants up to $25,000 for Small Farms

If enacted, the Director would run a grant program giving eligible small farms up to $25,000 per operator. Grants would be allowed for equipment and infrastructure repairs, uninsured losses, business planning and market development, conservation practice adoption, down payments for land, and other Secretary-approved uses. State small farms coordinators could administer grants under Director-approved criteria. The bill would authorize $15 million per year for office administration and $10 million per year for grants and technical help for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

New USDA Office for Small Farms

If enacted, the bill would create an Office of Small Farms inside USDA's Farm Production and Conservation mission area. The Secretary would appoint a Director and require agency liaisons (for example, FSA, NRCS, RMA, and Rural Development) to coordinate outreach. The Director would designate a State small farms coordinator in each State, and each coordinator would spend at least 50% of duties on small-farm work and follow Secretary-approved training. The Office would run an anonymous hotline, track participation data, and report to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees every year. The bill would define a small farm as under 180 acres (or a Secretary-set regional rule) and with under $350,000 in annual gross cash farm income, and it would clarify the Secretary's authority to run the Office.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]

WA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

  • Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

  • Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

  • Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 3/3/2026

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 8/31/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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