Bill > S1336

This bill establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Agriculture to address forestry workforce development needs in rural, low-income areas with small populations (20,000 or fewer inhabitants). The grants, ranging from $500,000 to $2,000,000, will be awarded for up to 4 years to eligible entities including nonprofits, states, Indian Tribes, local governments, and higher education institutions. The program aims to create career pathway training programs in forestry operations and forestry products industries, with priority given to applicants who seek to address workforce aging and youth migration, partner with schools to engage students, and demonstrate an ability to assist with workforce placement. To be eligible, applicants must show capacity to run the training program, demonstrate regional need, project program reach, and develop sustainability and implementation plans. The bill requires grant recipients to be located in areas with reliable broadband access and defines key terms using existing federal legislation. The program is authorized with $10 million in funding annually from fiscal years 2025 through 2029, supporting efforts to develop and strengthen the forestry workforce in rural communities.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1336/all-info