Bill · H.R. 7562· House(119-HR-7562)
Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/12/2026
- Last activity
- 3/20/2026 — Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
- Sponsored by
- Marilyn Strickland
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill creates an Office of Small Farms within the Department of Agriculture to better support small farms, ranches, and forest operations. The office will be led by a Director appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and will coordinate support, review policies that disadvantage small operations, and propose new initiatives. It also establishes State small farms coordinators in each State to help deliver local technical assistance and program improvements. Additionally, the office is authorized to provide grants of up to $25,000 directly to operators for equipment, repairs, business planning, and other specific needs. The bill authorizes specific funding amounts for the administration of the office and for providing technical assistance and grants through fiscal year 2031.
Yes· 3 of 11
Would farmers be better off under this?+9
The bill establishes a dedicated office to provide grants, technical assistance, and policy advocacy specifically for small farm and ranch operators.
Would business owners be better off under this?+8
The bill provides significant new resources, technical assistance, and financial grants specifically for small farm and ranch owners.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+8
The bill creates a dedicated office, provides direct grants up to $25,000, and offers technical assistance specifically for small agricultural operations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Direct financial grants for small operators: Under Section 2(c)(7), the office can provide grants of up to $25,000 to operators of small farms, ranches, and forest operations for equipment and infrastructure repairs, uninsured losses, business planning, market development, conservation practices, and land acquisition down payments. This provides direct monetary relief and investment opportunities for struggling or growing small operations.
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Anonymous reporting hotline: Under Section 2(c)(8), the office must operate a hotline allowing small farm, ranch, and forest operators to anonymously report problems they encounter when trying to access Department programs. This gives everyday workers a safe way to hold officials accountable without fear of retaliation.
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Targeted technical assistance: Under Section 2(c)(6), the office provides or coordinates technical assistance to help operators access available Department grants, cost-share, and loan programs, while also assisting with farmland preservation and succession planning. This helps everyday farmers navigate complex government bureaucracy.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Cost of government operations: Under Section 2(g), the bill authorizes the appropriation of $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the administration of the office, plus an additional $10,000,000 for each of those same years to provide technical assistance and grants. This adds significant taxpayer-funded spending to the federal budget.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+9Good For Business Owners+8Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Low Income Households+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+8Improves Economic Growth+3Increases Job Creation+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+6Improves Environmental Protections+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- 9/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/31/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/20/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit.
- 3/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/12/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Alma AdamsDemocrat · North Carolina
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida