Bill · S. 4730· Senate(119-S-4730)
Community College Agriculture Advancement Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 6/10/2026
- Last activity
- 6/10/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- John Hickenlooper
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 5
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Community College Agriculture Advancement Act of 2026 amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977. It authorizes competitive grants for junior or community colleges and consortia of 2-year public colleges. These grants aim to help these institutions maintain and expand their capacity for workforce training, education, research, and outreach in agriculture and similar disciplines. The bill also allows for the designation of centers of excellence for agriculture advancement. A total of $20,000,000 is authorized for appropriation annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Yes· 3 of 16
Would students be better off under this?+8
Expands resources, equipment, and apprenticeship opportunities for community college students.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
Community college agricultural programs are primarily located in and serve rural communities.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+7
Provides increased educational and vocational training opportunities for students at 2-year colleges.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
Increases government expenditures by authorizing new grant funding.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
Authorizes new federal spending of $20 million annually.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Workforce Training and Education: Eligible entities can use grants to conduct workforce training and education in agriculture and similar disciplines, which helps prepare people for jobs (SEC. 2(b)).
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Industry Experience: Students may benefit from experiential training and opportunities because priority is given to colleges coordinating with local agriculture industry operators (SEC. 2(c)).
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Diverse Educational Programming: Grants can be used to offer programming on agricultural industry jobs, including finance, accounting, and paralegal studies related to farm business management (SEC. 2(d)(2)).
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Professional and Technical Growth: The bill allows for the professional growth of faculty and the development of apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities (SEC. 2(d)(5)(B)-(C)).
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Infrastructure and Equipment: Funds can be used to purchase equipment and infrastructure to support educational and research activities (SEC. 2(d)(5)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limited Funding Access: Because the grants are competitive, not all junior or community colleges supporting agriculture advancement will receive funding (SEC. 2(b)).
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Restrictions on Building Improvements: Funds cannot be used for the construction, repair, renovation, or alteration of buildings, which may limit how colleges improve their physical facilities (SEC. 2(d)(5)(A)).
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 Rural Residents+8Good For Students+8Good For Farmers+7Good For Young Adults+7Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Business Owners+4Good For Middle Aged+4Good For Middle Class Households+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+4Improves Economic Growth+3Improves Small Business Support+3Reduces Government Spending-2Reduces National Debt-1
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5Improves College Affordability+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+6
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- 6/18/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 6/10/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Deb FischerRepublican · Nebraska
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
Jon HustedRepublican · Ohio
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Pete RickettsRepublican · Nebraska
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon