H.R. 8533: Farmer to Farmer Education Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Farmer to Farmer Education Act of 2026, aims to amend existing legislation to enhance the provision of technical assistance among farmers. Here are the key components of what the bill proposes:

Expansion of Farmer Networks

The bill introduces the concept of a farmer-to-farmer network, defined as any group of farmers who share information and provide mutual support. This initiative aims to strengthen connections among farmers, allowing them to learn from each other and share best practices.

Purpose of Technical Assistance

The legislation specifies several objectives for technical assistance:

• Enhance the capacity of farmer-to-farmer networks.
• Connect farmers with mentors and facilitate group learning opportunities.
• Encourage the adoption of scientifically supported practices for conservation on agricultural and forestry land.
• Increase accessibility of technical assistance tailored to the diverse needs of farmers, ranchers, and forest owners.

Cooperative Agreements

The bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements with eligible entities like:

• Nonprofit organizations.
• Farmer-to-farmer networks.
• Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations.
• Local governments, including conservation districts.
• Institutions of higher education.
• State governments.

Priority is given to those entities that support historically underserved farmers operating in high-poverty areas.

Responsibilities of Assistance Providers

Entities that receive assistance must undertake specific actions, such as:

• Facilitating access to farmer-to-farmer networks.
• Helping match mentors with mentees among farmers.
• Coordinating training and resources to improve network leadership.
• Providing events and innovative activities to build network capacity.

Language Assistance

The bill also calls for providing assistance in the native languages of non-English speaking participants whenever possible, ensuring better understanding and communication.

Subawards and Reporting

Funds may be awarded as subawards to eligible entities for specific activities related to building farmer-to-farmer networks. Recipients of subawards must use funds to:

• Plan and conduct events that support network capacity building.
• Compensate participants at market rates for their involvement in these activities.

Annual reporting to the Secretary of Agriculture is required to track the outcomes of funded activities, including information about conservation practices adopted.

Funding

The bill mandates the allocation of necessary funds from the budget for annual appropriations to support the operations mandated within the technical assistance provision.

Relevant Companies

None found