Office of Small Farms Act

Summary#

This bill would add a new Section 229 to the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to create an Office of Small Farms inside the Farm Production and Conservation mission area. The bill defines a “small farm, ranch, or forest operation” as typically under 180 acres (or another acreage the Secretary sets by region or production system) and with annual gross cash farm income under $350,000. The Secretary must appoint a Director for the Office. The Office would coordinate USDA programs for small operations, review Department rules that may disadvantage small operations, develop recommendations and research agendas, and help track small-operation data.

The Office would provide or coordinate technical assistance to help small operations access grants, cost-share, and loans, and support farmland preservation and succession planning. The Office may run a grant program (grants up to $25,000) to help with equipment and infrastructure repairs, uninsured losses, business planning and market development, conservation practice adoption, down payments for land, and other Secretary-approved purposes. The Office would operate an anonymous hotline for reporting access problems and collaborate with other federal and state agencies.

The bill requires each named USDA agency to appoint a liaison to the Office. It directs the Director to designate a State small farms coordinator in each State (from State office employees) to coordinate technical assistance, create and implement State plans, oversee outreach, and may make grants. At least half of a designated coordinator’s duties must relate to small farms. The Secretary must submit an annual report to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees on efforts and results. The bill authorizes appropriations of $15,000,000 per year for administration and $10,000,000 per year for technical assistance and grants for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. The bill also makes minor technical and conforming amendments.

What it means for you#

• If you operate a small farm, ranch, or forest operation as defined, there would be a new USDA office to help coordinate services, provide technical assistance, and offer grants up to $25,000 for specific needs listed in the bill.
• State offices would have a designated small farms coordinator to help you access USDA programs, plan for succession, and find local assistance.
• USDA agencies must name liaisons to work with the Office to improve outreach and program delivery to small operations.

Expenses#

• The bill authorizes annual appropriations for fiscal years 2027–2031 of:
  • $15,000,000 each year for administration of the Office of Small Farms; and
  • $10,000,000 each year for technical assistance and grants authorized by the section.
• No publicly available information on actual appropriations beyond these authorization amounts.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information. The bill text itself describes the Office’s duties and goals but does not include statements from sponsors or supporters.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information. The bill text does not include statements of opposition or concerns.