Sponsors (2)
Creates a USDA-run centralized farm succession matchmaking program that can help transfer operations and sustain rural jobs, at the cost of new federal resources, privacy risks, and uncertainty from a five-year sunset unless extended.
Farmers — both aspiring/young entrants and retiring/transitioning operators — gain access to a centralized USDA matchmaking service to find available farms and willing successors, making it easier to transfer operations, assets, and maintain business continuity.
Rural communities are more likely to retain agricultural activity and farm-related jobs because smoother succession reduces farm closures and preserves local employment and economic activity.
Congress (and therefore taxpayers) receives regular reporting and oversight information on the program, improving transparency and program accountability.
Running and administering the program will require USDA staffing and resources, producing new federal costs or diverting funds from other USDA programs or services.
A five-year sunset creates uncertainty for long-term farm succession planning and could discourage participants who need multi-year certainty to transfer operations.
Maintaining a database of people and farm properties raises privacy and liability concerns if data protections, consent, and liability rules are not clearly specified and enforced.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires USDA to create a Farm land link program to match exiting farmers with new farmers, maintain a database, facilitate transfers, and report to Congress.
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to connect individuals seeking to transition away from farming with individuals seeking to become farmers, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 22, 2026 by Greg Landsman · Last progress April 22, 2026
Creates a federal Farm Land Link Program at USDA to help retiring or exiting farmers transfer farms, farm businesses, and farmland to new or beginning farmers. The Secretary of Agriculture must set up a database, facilitate transfers, publish guidance, and consider an existing Commission on Farm Transitions study. The program must be established within 180 days of enactment, reports are required to congressional agriculture committees starting 30 months after enactment, and the program automatically ends after 5 years unless the Secretary extends it for another 5 years.