Sponsors (17)
Creates a USDA competitive grant program funding multi-year forestry career-pathway training in small rural, low-income, broadband-connected communities, authorized at $10M/year for FY2026–2030.
The bill creates targeted, multi‑year federal grants to build forestry workforce pathways and support students, tribal and local institutions, but limited annual funding and eligibility/design rules (broadband requirement, high minimum awards, and rigorous application demands) risk leaving many smaller or underconnected communities without adequate support.
Rural and low-income communities gain dedicated forestry workforce funding: the bill authorizes $10M/year (FY2026–2030) for multi‑year forestry career pathway programs, creating new federal resources for local job training.
Students and young adults get expanded access to skills training and job placement through prioritized partnerships with secondary, vocational/technical, and community colleges and required workforce placement assistance.
Tribal governments, local governments, nonprofits, and colleges can apply for funds, expanding support pathways for local workforce programs and tribal institutions.
The $10M/year funding cap limits reach: many eligible communities and projects may not receive grants or enough funding to meet large program needs.
The broadband access requirement may exclude needy areas: communities without existing broadband or a credible broadband plan could be ineligible despite high workforce needs.
Program design favors larger organizations and burdens small local groups: strict application requirements plus a $500K minimum award and multi‑year grant structure may advantage bigger institutions and make it hard for small nonprofits or local governments to apply or compete.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Official title: To require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a grant program to address forestry workforce development needs, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 21, 2025 by Marie Gluesenkamp Perez · Last progress July 21, 2025
Creates a USDA competitive grant program to fund multi-year forestry career-pathway training in small, rural, low-income communities that have broadband and populations of 50,000 or less. Grants run up to four years, must be $500,000–$2,000,000 each, and the program is authorized at $10 million per year for FY2026–FY2030. The Secretary of Agriculture must set up the program within one year of enactment. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, states, Indian Tribes, local governments, and institutions of higher education; applications must show capacity, community need, reach, sustainability, and an implementation plan. Projects that address an aging forestry workforce, reverse youth out-migration, partner with secondary or community colleges, or help place workers get priority.