Farmer to Farmer Education Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
Introduced
Summary
Expands farmer-to-farmer technical assistance networks to connect farmers with mentors and spread science-based, site-specific conservation practices. It would add a new authority to the Food Security Act so the Natural Resources Conservation Service can fund cooperative agreements, subawards, language access, and reporting to support those networks.
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- Farmers and landowners: Would increase access to peer mentoring and group learning for farmers, ranchers, and forest owners to help adopt conservation practices on working land.
- Historically underserved producers: Gives selection priority to programs that meet the needs of historically underserved farmers or operate in high-poverty areas.
- Local and nonprofit partners: Lets nonprofits, Tribal organizations, local governments, universities, and other entities receive cooperative agreements and subawards and compensate participants at market rates.
- Oversight and learning: Requires annual reporting by providers and a congressional report within four years on funding, practice adoption outcomes, and outreach for broader use.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New grants and networks for farmers
If enacted, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) would be able to make cooperative agreements and grants to groups that build and run farmer-to-farmer networks. Eligible groups would include nonprofits, farmer networks, Tribes, conservation districts, colleges, States, and other groups the Secretary names. Those groups could make subawards to similar groups or individuals to plan events, run trainings, connect mentors, and pay participants at market rates. The program would give priority to groups serving historically underserved producers or producers in high-poverty areas. Funded providers would need to do at least two listed tasks, such as matching mentors, running trainings, keeping partner lists, or administering subawards. Help for non-English speakers would be provided in the person's native language to the greatest extent practicable.
Annual reports and four-year review
If enacted, each group that gets a cooperative agreement would have to send an annual report to the Secretary about conservation activities and any subawards. Not later than four years after enactment, the Secretary would have to report to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. That report would list funding awarded, results such as conservation practice adoption if feasible, and outreach activities the Secretary has considered for wider use.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]
NM • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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