Bill > S1769

This bill, known as the "Farmer to Farmer Education Act of 2025", amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to establish a comprehensive program supporting farmer-to-farmer networks - defined as affiliations of farmers who share information and technical assistance. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements with various eligible entities, including nonprofits, tribal organizations, local governments, and educational institutions, to build capacity for these networks. Priority will be given to entities serving historically underserved farmers, limited-resource farmers, and those in high-poverty areas. The program aims to facilitate farmer mentorship, cross-training, resource sharing, and provide technical assistance tailored to different farming models and practices. Eligible entities receiving cooperative agreements must perform specific responsibilities like facilitating farmer network access, coordinating training, and matching mentors with mentees. The bill also requires language assistance for non-English speaking farmers and mandates annual reporting on conservation activities. Subawards can be issued to support network-building events and compensate participants at market rates. Within four years of enactment, the Secretary must submit a report to congressional agriculture committees detailing funding, activity results, and potential improvements to conservation technical assistance efforts, with funding sourced from annual conservation operations appropriations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1769/all-info