Bill > HR5468

This bill amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to establish competitive grants for community colleges and two-year public colleges focused on agriculture and natural resources programs. The bill defines eligible entities as junior or community colleges (as defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965) that support agriculture advancement, either individually or through consortiums. These grants aim to help colleges maintain and expand their capacity for workforce training, education, research, and outreach in agriculture and related disciplines. The Secretary of Agriculture will prioritize grants to entities that coordinate with local agriculture industry operators to provide experiential training for students. Grant funds can be used for various purposes, including competing for additional federal grants, offering educational programming about agricultural industry jobs, disseminating information about agricultural priorities, purchasing equipment and infrastructure, developing faculty professional growth, and creating apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities. Colleges can also apply to become "centers of excellence for agriculture advancement" to demonstrate best practices and provide regional or national leadership. The bill authorizes $20 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to support these grants, and requires the Secretary to conduct an evaluation and report to congressional committees within three years of the section's enactment.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5468/all-info