Sponsors (4)
The bill expands federally supported training and partnership-driven programs to help veterans enter agriculture, but its modest funding, matching requirements, and lack of direct startup capital mean many veterans and smaller local providers may still lack the resources needed to fully benefit.
Veterans (especially those in or returning to rural areas) gain access to funded training and hands-on education in farm and ranch business operations, improving their ability to start or manage agricultural enterprises.
Local extension offices, colleges, and nonprofit organizations receive grants and consortia eligibility to run veteran-focused agriculture programs, strengthening rural workforce pipelines and encouraging regional partnerships to serve veterans.
Creates a targeted federal funding stream (authorized at $5 million per year for FY2026–2030) to expand opportunities for veterans in agriculture, signaling federal commitment and program stability over multiple years.
The authorized funding level ($5 million per year) is modest relative to nationwide demand and may be insufficient to scale training and services to all veterans who need them.
The program funds education and outreach but does not provide direct startup capital (e.g., land, equipment) or long-term financial assistance, limiting usefulness for veterans who need startup financing to launch agricultural businesses.
Grant recipients are required to provide at least a dollar-for-dollar non‑Federal match, which may limit participation by resource-constrained nonprofits, community-based organizations, and smaller local partners.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a competitive USDA grant program authorizing $5M/year (FY2026–FY2030) to fund training and education that help veterans enter farming and ranching, with a required 1:1 non‑Federal match.
Creates a new USDA competitive grant program to fund education, training, and outreach that help military veterans start or expand farming and ranching careers. Grants may be awarded to land‑grant colleges, extension services, Hispanic‑serving agricultural colleges, state agriculture departments, nonprofits, and consortia; recipients must match federal funds 1:1. The program is authorized at $5 million per year for FY2026–FY2030.
Introduced February 12, 2025 by Derrick Van Orden · Last progress February 12, 2025