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119-s-3860119th CongressWALLET

Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would establish a dedicated Office of Small Farms within USDA's Farm Production and Conservation mission area to coordinate support and define who counts as a small farm. It sets a statutory definition based on acreage and an annual gross cash farm income cap to focus outreach and services.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants and funding for small farms

If enacted, the bill would create a small-farm grant and technical-assistance program. If you qualify as a small farm, you would be able to get a grant up to $25,000 for repairs, uninsured losses, business planning, conservation, or a land down payment. The bill would authorize $10 million per year for grants and technical assistance for fiscal years 2027–2031. It would also authorize $15 million per year for FY2027–FY2031 to run the Office that oversees the program.

New USDA Office for Small Farms

If enacted, the bill would require USDA to create an Office of Small Farms within the Farm Production and Conservation area and appoint a Director. The Director would coordinate USDA agencies, review rules that disadvantage small farms, propose new financing and technical-assistance ideas, and run an anonymous hotline for access problems. USDA agencies would have to appoint liaisons to work with the Office. The bill would also add the Office to the Department's list of authorities.

State small farms coordinators

If enacted, the Director would designate a State small farms coordinator in each State from State office staff. Each coordinator would spend at least 50 percent of duties on small-farm activities, write and implement a State plan to improve delivery, and coordinate outreach and partnerships. State coordinators could administer the Office's grants under criteria set by the Director. The Secretary would have to provide training for coordinators on USDA programs.

Who counts as a small farm

If enacted, the bill would define a "small farm, ranch, or forest operation" as one that is under 180 acres (or meets an acreage rule the Secretary sets for region or system) and has annual gross cash farm income under $350,000. This definition would determine who can get the Office's targeted programs, grants, and technical assistance.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

NJ • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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