Women in Agriculture Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2638

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.

Last Updated

2025-06-09T14:38:52Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Women in Agriculture Act (H.R. 2638) aims to support women in farming and ranching by creating a dedicated liaison position within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve access to programs, promote leadership, and address barriers like equipment design and childcare. It seeks to enhance equity for women-owned agricultural operations through information, advocacy, research, and funding priorities.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison:
• Creates a new position in the USDA, to be established within 120 days of enactment.
• The Liaison's duties include:
• Informing women farmers and ranchers (and potential ones) about available USDA agricultural programs and helping them apply.
• Advocating for these women in dealings with USDA staff.
• Promoting women in leadership roles at the USDA.
• Submitting annual public reports to Congress on funding and participation in USDA programs by women-owned operations, including statistics on grants, loans, applications, funding percentages, and women's representation in USDA jobs (disaggregated by office and pay grade levels, known as GS levels).
• Consulting with the USDA's Equity Commission and providing technical assistance to other federal agencies on these matters.
• Allows the Liaison to partner via contracts or agreements with USDA research centers, universities, or nonprofits for activities like research on small women-run farms, educational materials, workshops, mentoring, and internships.
• Provides for USDA staff to support the Liaison.

• Research and Extension Priorities:
• Adds ergonomic (user-friendly for body comfort and safety) agricultural equipment designed for women as a high-priority area for USDA research and extension grants.

• Childcare Funding Priority:
• In USDA loans and grants for rural development (under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act), gives priority to projects that improve childcare availability, quality, or affordability in agricultural or rural communities.

• Duration:
• Makes the Liaison position and related authorities permanent by exempting them from automatic termination provisions in existing law.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 by inserting a new section (223) to create the Liaison role, which did not previously exist.
• Updates the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 by adding women-focused ergonomic equipment to the list of priority research areas (previously focused on other agricultural innovations).
• Modifies the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act by introducing a new priority for childcare in loan and grant selections, shifting focus from general rural infrastructure to specific family support needs.

These changes integrate gender-specific support into USDA's core operations without altering broader program structures.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The USDA will need to allocate resources for the new Liaison position, staff support, annual reporting, and partnerships, potentially increasing administrative workload but improving program outreach. Other agencies may benefit from technical assistance on equity issues.
• On Citizens: Women farmers and ranchers could gain easier access to loans, grants, and training, leading to more inclusive participation in agriculture. Rural communities may see better childcare options, helping women balance work and family. Overall, it could boost the viability of small, women-owned farms through targeted research and education.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. agriculture.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Women Farmers and Ranchers: Primary beneficiaries, gaining advocacy, program assistance, and resources to overcome barriers like access to funding and suitable equipment.
• USDA Agencies: Including the Farm Service Agency (handles loans and grants), Natural Resources Conservation Service (focuses on conservation programs), and the Equity Commission, which will collaborate on implementation and reporting.
• Congress: Receives annual reports to monitor progress on women-owned operations.
• Supporting Organizations: Universities, nonprofits, and USDA research centers involved in partnerships for education, mentoring, and research.
• Rural Communities: Indirectly affected through childcare improvements and broader agricultural equity.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens administrative equity within USDA without creating new enforceable rights; relies on existing program frameworks. The annual reporting requirement enhances transparency and accountability under federal law.
• Constitutional: Aligns with equal protection principles by addressing gender disparities in agriculture, a field historically male-dominated, without raising discrimination concerns.
• Political: Advances gender equity goals in a key U.S. economic sector (agriculture employs millions), potentially influencing future farm bills. It reflects bipartisan support (introduced by a diverse group of representatives) and could set precedents for targeted liaisons in other areas, though it may face debates over added bureaucracy or resource allocation.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]

Cosponsors (4)

Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
• 2025-04-03: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2025-04-03: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-03: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Women in Agriculture Act — issued 2025-04-03 — PDF (6 pages)