Jobs in the Woods Act

This bill would create a new USDA grant program to grow the forestry workforce through job-training programs. The grants would support training for jobs in forest operations and forest products, with a focus on helping people get hired after training. The Department must launch the program within one year of the bill becoming law.

Grants would last up to four years and range from $500,000 to $2,000,000. The bill also gives priority to projects that tackle an aging workforce and youth leaving rural areas, and to programs that partner with high schools, technical schools, or community colleges. It authorizes $10 million per year for 2026–2030 to run the program. Nonprofits, states, Tribes, local governments, and colleges can apply.

• Who is affected: People seeking jobs in forestry; schools and training programs; nonprofits; states, Tribes, and local governments.
• What changes: USDA would fund competitive grants for forestry job training and job placement support, with priority for youth engagement and aging-workforce needs.
• When: Program must start within one year of enactment; funding is authorized for 2026–2030.