Sponsors (4)
The bill directs guaranteed outreach funding and eligibility benefits to socially disadvantaged women farmers and qualifying women-focused nonprofits and extends program funding through 2031 to sustain support, but it may reduce resources for other disadvantaged groups, exclude some nonprofits via strict eligibility rules, and lock program priorities for a decade.
Socially disadvantaged women farmers and ranchers will receive a guaranteed minimum set‑aside (at least 10%) of outreach funds, improving their access to USDA services and resources.
Farmers and rural communities retain program funding and oversight through an extended covered funding window (FY2021–FY2031), ensuring sustained support over a longer period.
Women-focused nonprofit organizations that meet the bill's definition become eligible to receive USDA outreach and assistance support, expanding organizational access to program resources.
Reserving at least 10% of outreach funds for socially disadvantaged women could reduce funding available to other disadvantaged groups and general outreach activities.
The requirement that 'women's nonprofit organizations' exist continuously for 10 years and hold 501(c)(3) status may exclude newer or differently structured groups that serve women farmers from receiving support.
Extending the covered funding window through FY2021–FY2031 locks program priorities for a decade and could limit flexibility to reallocate funds as community needs change.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Adds gender to the "socially disadvantaged" definition, creates eligible women's nonprofit organizations, extends covered years to 2021–2031, and requires ≥10% of program funds for socially disadvantaged women farmers.
Introduced March 24, 2026 by Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick · Last progress March 24, 2026
Expands who counts as "socially disadvantaged" in a federal agricultural outreach program to explicitly include gender, creates a new category of eligible entity called women’s nonprofit organizations (must be 501(c)(3), founded to serve women, and in existence at least 10 years), and adds those organizations as eligible recipients. It also extends the program’s covered fiscal years through 2031 and requires that at least 10% of certain program funds each year be used for programs serving socially disadvantaged women farmers and ranchers. The change increases targeted support for women in agriculture and sets a small dedicated funding share for socially disadvantaged women farmers and ranchers, while adding verification and eligibility rules for qualifying women’s nonprofit organizations.