H.R. 1230: Agriculture Grants for Veterans Education and Training Services Act

This bill is titled the Agriculture Grants for Veterans Education and Training Services Act or AG VETS Act. Its primary purpose is to establish a program that provides competitive grants aimed at supporting veterans in farming and ranching. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill intends to do:

Grant Program Overview

The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to create a program that awards competitive grants to various eligible entities. These grants are intended to help establish and enhance farming and ranching opportunities specifically for veterans, as defined by veterans status under U.S. law.

Eligible Entities for Grants

To receive a grant under this program, an entity must meet specific criteria. Eligible entities include:

• A cooperative extension service
• A land-grant college or university
• A non-land-grant college of agriculture
• A Hispanic-serving agricultural college and university
• A State department of agriculture
• A nonprofit organization
• A community-based organization
• A combination of multiple entities from the above categories

Use of Funds

Entities that receive a grant will be required to use the funds for various educational and training initiatives aimed at veterans. The allocated funds can be used for the following purposes:

• Providing training and education that helps veterans understand farm and ranch business operations and management practices.
• Developing or identifying curriculums that veterans can utilize to manage their farming or ranching businesses effectively.
• Offering educational programs, workshops, tours, and supervised field experiences.
• Supporting any other activities that promote skills development in agriculture for military veterans, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Matching Funds Requirement

Entities that receive grants are also required to provide matching funds from non-federal sources. This means they must secure funds equal to the amount of the grant awarded to them.

Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes a total of $5,000,000 per fiscal year for the years 2026 through 2030 to support the grant program established under this legislation.

Overall Purpose

The AG VETS Act aims to enhance opportunities for veterans in agriculture by providing necessary training and resources. By supporting education and skill development, the bill seeks to encourage more military veterans to engage in farming and ranching careers.

Relevant Companies

None found