Bill > S784

This bill, titled the Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Act, aims to expand agricultural opportunities for military veterans by amending several existing laws. It specifically includes "veteran farmers or ranchers" in programs that provide grants for value-added agricultural market development and outreach and assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The bill also establishes the position of a Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison within the Department of Agriculture, whose duties will include connecting veterans with beginning farmer training, agricultural vocational programs, and assisting them in accessing federal benefits for farming careers. Furthermore, it modifies conservation programs, such as the Conservation Reserve Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, to provide preference or include veteran farmers and ranchers in their eligibility criteria, and authorizes appropriations for these initiatives. The bill also defines a "veteran farmer or rancher" as someone who served in the active military and was discharged under honorable conditions.