A bill to amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to authorize grants for eligible institutions to carry out agriculture workforce training programs, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- S. 2727
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-04: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T06:46:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, S. 2727, aims to strengthen the agriculture workforce by authorizing federal grants to educational institutions. It seeks to develop training programs that connect students with industry partners, helping to grow the agriculture sector, boost its competitiveness, and improve worker training and retention.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Agriculture workforce training program: A program created by an eligible school in partnership with industry, providing hands-on training like internships, apprenticeships, practical classes, and workshops to build technical skills in agriculture.
- Eligible institution: Includes land-grant universities (e.g., 1862, 1890, and 1994 Institutions, which are public colleges focused on agriculture and related fields), non-land-grant agriculture colleges, Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges, centers of excellence in agriculture, community colleges, and career/technical schools offering agriculture programs.
- Targeted industry partner: Agriculture companies or associations, registered apprenticeship programs (under the National Apprenticeship Act), or nonprofits that assist people in finding agriculture jobs.
- Grant Authorization: The Secretary of Agriculture, through the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA, a USDA agency that funds agricultural research and education), will award grants to eligible institutions to create and run these training programs.
- Use of Grant Funds: At least 5% of the funds must support the training program directly, including efforts to recruit students and provide professional development for faculty to better prepare students for agriculture jobs.
- Implementation Timeline: The Secretary must start the program by January 31, 2026.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill amends Section 2501(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (a law that supports agricultural education and outreach) by adding a new subsection (16). This introduces a dedicated grant program for agriculture workforce training, which did not exist before. It expands federal support for partnerships between schools and industry without altering other parts of the 1990 Act.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and NIFA will manage grant awards and oversight, potentially increasing their administrative workload but aligning with their mission to support agriculture education.
- Citizens: Students and potential workers, especially from underserved groups (e.g., at Hispanic-serving institutions or community colleges), gain access to practical training, which could lead to better job opportunities in agriculture. This may help address labor shortages in farming and related fields.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, though a stronger U.S. agriculture workforce could indirectly enhance the competitiveness of American exports in global markets.
- Broader Economy: Could foster job growth and skill development in the agriculture industry, benefiting rural communities where farming is a key employer.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Educational Institutions: Eligible schools (e.g., land-grant universities, community colleges) that can apply for and receive grants to build training programs.
- Industry Partners: Agriculture companies, associations, apprenticeship programs, and nonprofits that collaborate on training and provide real-world experience.
- Students and Workers: Individuals pursuing agriculture careers, particularly those in technical or entry-level roles, who benefit from internships and skill-building.
- Agriculture Sector: Farmers, agribusinesses, and related industries that gain a more skilled and retained workforce.
- Federal Government: USDA and NIFA, responsible for funding and implementation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill builds on existing federal authority under the 1990 Act to fund education without creating new regulatory burdens. It promotes equal access by including diverse institutions, aligning with laws supporting minority-serving colleges.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it involves standard congressional spending power for education and workforce development, which is a federal priority under the Commerce Clause (as agriculture affects interstate commerce).
- Political: This could appeal to bipartisan interests in rural economic development and job training, potentially supporting agriculture-dependent states. It emphasizes collaboration between education and industry, reflecting a policy focus on practical, workforce-oriented federal investments rather than broad entitlements.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-04: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 2025-09-04: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to authorize grants for eligible institutions to carry out agriculture workforce training programs, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-09-04 — PDF (6 pages)