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119-s-4470119th CongressWALLET

Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Fetterman, John [D-PA]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would expand USDA support for urban and controlled-environment farming. It would broaden the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, create a grants and cooperative-agreement program, add controlled-environment systems to research priorities, and increase Census of Agriculture funding for 2026–2030.

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  • Urban growers and small producers would get competitive grants and subgrants plus technical help for business incorporation, local zoning, farm tract numbers, conservation on urban land, and navigating government rules. These programs prioritize projects that improve access to fresh local food in areas with limited access.
  • Researchers and innovators would gain clearer eligibility for funding through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, which would explicitly include hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, and other controlled-environment production technologies.
  • Agricultural data users and planners would see expanded Census of Agriculture support, with $18 million made available each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to fund broader census cycles.

*If enacted, it would increase federal spending by adding $15 million per year in mandatory Commodity Credit Corporation funds beginning in FY2026, authorizing $50 million per year for 2026–2030, and providing $18 million per year for the Census of Agriculture for 2026–2030.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New $50M yearly urban grants

If enacted, this bill would authorize $50,000,000 to be appropriated each year for FY2026 through FY2030 for urban and innovative agriculture programs. These funds would support competitive grants and projects run by the USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. Urban and innovative producers, producer networks, nonprofits, local governments, Tribes, and K–12 schools would be able to apply or receive subgrants. The authorization takes effect upon enactment.

Annual $15M CCC program funding

If enacted, this bill would direct $15,000,000 each year from the Commodity Credit Corporation starting in fiscal year 2026 to carry out the urban agriculture program. That mandatory money would support the USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production and related grants or projects. Small urban producers and groups that receive awards would benefit from this recurring funding. The provision begins in FY2026.

AFRI research adds indoor farming

If enacted, this bill would add controlled‑environment production technologies to the list of research topics eligible for AFRI grants. It would explicitly name hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, and similar systems. Researchers, schools, and growers working on these systems would be able to compete for AFRI funding. The change would take effect upon enactment.

Makes urban agriculture program ongoing

If enacted, this bill would replace a temporary pilot with a standing urban agriculture program at USDA. The Secretary would help urban and innovative producers with business setup, local zoning, farm tract numbering, and navigating overlapping rules. Agencies would also promote urban conservation practices like stormwater management and address urban soil and subsurface issues. Tribal governments, States, and U.S. territories would be eligible partners in program governance.

More funding for ag census

If enacted, this bill would set Census of Agriculture funding at $18,000,000 per year for each of FY2026 through FY2030. Those funds would remain available until spent. The bill would also require support for each future census cycle rather than tying the requirement to the 2017 census. The change would improve resources for agricultural data collection.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Fetterman, John [D-PA]

PA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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