Empowering Women in Agriculture Act

Bill Number

H.R. 8042

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Last Updated

2026-04-14T06:23:30Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Empowering Women in Agriculture Act (H.R. 8042) aims to broaden outreach, training, and financial assistance programs for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, with a specific focus on women, by amending the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.

Key Provisions

• Expands definition of "socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher" to include those facing prejudice based on race, gender, or ethnicity (previously only race or ethnicity).
• Defines "women's nonprofit organization" as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) group founded by and for women, with at least 10 years of continuous existence.
• Adds women's nonprofit organizations as eligible recipients for outreach and assistance grants.
• Mandates funding allocation: At least 10% of funds for outreach programs must support services for socially disadvantaged women farmers and ranchers.
• Extends funding availability through fiscal year 2031 (previously through 2023).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 2501 of the 1990 Act:
• Broadens prejudice criteria in definitions (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)(6)).
• Adds new definition for women's nonprofits (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)(8)).
• Includes women's nonprofits as grant recipients (7 U.S.C. 2279(c)(1)(H)).
• Updates funding timeline from fiscal years 2019–2023 to 2021–2031 and adds the 10% set-aside for women (7 U.S.C. 2279(l)).

Potential Impacts

• Government agencies: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will need to prioritize and track funding for women-focused programs, potentially increasing administrative oversight.
• Citizens: Improves access to training, outreach, and resources for women farmers and ranchers who face social disadvantages, helping them start or expand operations.
• No direct international relations impact noted.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Socially disadvantaged women farmers and ranchers (primary beneficiaries).
• Women's nonprofit organizations (newly eligible for grants).
• USDA and agriculture committees (implementation and funding responsibilities).
• Existing socially disadvantaged (racial/ethnic) and veteran farmers/ranchers (continued but expanded program scope).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens equity in federal agriculture programs by explicitly including gender; requires compliance with funding mandates, enforceable through USDA audits.
• Constitutional: Aligns with equal protection principles by addressing gender-based disadvantages without creating new quotas beyond the 10% minimum.
• Political: Signals congressional priority on gender equity in agriculture; may influence future farm bill debates by extending authorizations and adding targeted spending.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
• 2026-03-24: Introduced in House
• 2026-03-24: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Empowering Women in Agriculture Act — issued 2026-03-24 — PDF (3 pages)