New Producer Economic Security Act
Sponsored By: Representative Budzinski
In Committee
Summary
Creates a New Producer Economic Security Program to fund community-led projects that expand access to land, capital, and markets for new and disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The bill focuses on farm establishment, preventing land loss, and building long-term financial and health resilience for qualified beneficiaries.
Show full summary
- New and beginning producers would get direct help to buy or secure land, get down payments, lower interest or principal on loans, clear heirs' property title, repair infrastructure, and receive technical help like business planning and translation. Eligible individuals include people who have never farmed or have farmed for 10 or fewer consecutive years and those with low incomes (for example at or below 200 percent of the national poverty level or half the county median household income).
- Local partners like Tribal governments, community development financial institutions, nonprofits, cooperatives, and colleges could receive grants, cooperative agreements, or capitalization loans to run projects. Recipients generally must obligate funds within 5 years.
- The bill prioritizes Tribal rights and land protection tools. It creates a right of first refusal for Tribal citizens or governments near Tribal lands and supports resale restrictions, voluntary land transfers, succession planning, and conservation-aligned practices.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Who qualifies and help for new farmers
This bill would set who can get help. You must be a person who helps run or work on a farm or forest operation and meet one test: never farmed or farmed 10 years or less; only operate on rented or leased land; income at or below 200% of poverty or at or below half of your county’s median; or be found economically disadvantaged. Funded groups would be required to offer direct help to qualified producers. Help could pay for buying land and closing costs, down payments, lower mortgage rates or principal, title clearing, surveys, soil cleanup, repairs, planning, and getting a USDA farm number. It could also cover translation, business, legal, and tax help, and set up revolving loan funds so support can last.
How new farmer projects get picked
Groups that apply would need to show how they help qualified producers and support long‑term farm finances. The Secretary would favor projects that give direct financial help, include strong partner networks, support voluntary land transfers, and use resale limits like deed restrictions or conservation easements. Priorities would also include tribal rights of first refusal near Tribal communities, accessible technical help, farmworker support, and long‑term conservation practices. A stakeholder committee would be formed within 180 days to guide the program.
New funding for new farmer projects
This bill would create a competitive program at the Department of Agriculture to back new farmer projects. It would let the Secretary give grants, cooperative agreements, and capitalization loans to partner groups. Funding would depend on later Congressional appropriations, and the Secretary could also use certain existing contribution accounts. The aim is to help new producers reach land, capital, and markets.
Deadlines and payback rules for project groups
Groups that get money would have up to 5 years to obligate it, unless the Secretary allows more time. For long land projects that run past five years, one federal property rule (2 C.F.R. 200.311) would not apply. If a group breaks award terms, it would have to repay the assistance.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Budzinski
IL • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
IA • R
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
CT • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Davis (NC)
NC • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
NM • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Riley (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 5/6/2025
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 11/4/2025
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]
KS • D
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov