Bill > S3860

This bill, titled the "Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026," proposes to amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to create a new Office of Small Farms within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This office will be responsible for coordinating and improving support for small farms, ranches, and forest operations, which are defined as operations with less than 180 acres or meeting other acreage-based definitions determined by the Secretary, and having an annual gross cash farm income of less than $350,000. The bill outlines various duties for the Director of this new office, including reviewing USDA programs to identify disadvantages for small operations, recommending new initiatives like financing and technical assistance, proposing research, and operating a hotline for farmers to report issues accessing USDA programs. It also establishes liaisons within various USDA agencies and offices to work with the Office of Small Farms, and designates "State small farms coordinators" to improve program coordination and delivery at the state level. The bill authorizes appropriations for the administration of the Office of Small Farms and for technical assistance and grants to these operations for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3860/all-info