Sponsors
Introduced February 12, 2026 by Cory Anthony Booker · Last progress February 12, 2026
The bill creates a permanent small‑farm support structure—targeted grants, technical assistance, state coordinators, and $25M/year funding—to expand access and resilience for limited‑resource producers, while imposing modest new federal spending, potential exclusion of some mid‑sized farms, and added administrative burden.
Small farm, ranch, and forest operators receive targeted grants (up to $25,000) for repairs, uninsured losses, business planning, conservation, or land down payments, giving direct financial relief and investment capacity.
Small operations gain coordinated technical assistance and a network of State coordinators through a new dedicated Office to help them access USDA grants, loans, and cost-share programs, reducing barriers and improving uptake of federal support.
The bill authorizes sustained federal funding ($25 million per year, 2027–2031) to staff the Office, provide technical assistance, and fund grants, creating predictable resources for small farm support.
Taxpayers will fund new annual spending of about $25 million (2027–2031) to operate the Office and finance grants and assistance.
Acreage limits and the $350,000 income threshold mean some mid-sized producers who still face access barriers may be excluded from help, leaving gaps in coverage.
Establishing a new Office, State liaisons, and reporting requirements could increase USDA administrative complexity and compliance workload for State offices and federal staff.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates an Office of Small Farms at USDA, defines small operations, directs coordination and assistance, and authorizes grants up to $25,000 for eligible uses.
Creates an Office of Small Farms inside USDA’s Farm Production and Conservation mission area, defines which operations count as “small,” requires a Director, and directs that office to coordinate USDA support for small farms, ranches, and forest operations. The office must review USDA programs for barriers to small operations, recommend policy and data changes, provide or coordinate technical assistance, run an anonymous access hotline, and work with other federal and state agencies. Authorizes the office to run a grant program providing awards up to $25,000 for uses like equipment and infrastructure repairs, uninsured losses, business planning and market development, conservation adoption, and land down payments; however, the text does not include an appropriation, so funding would need to be provided separately.