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.
This bill would add a new grants program to the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (via Section 2501(d)) to fund eligible institutions that develop and run agriculture workforce training programs in partnership with targeted industry partners. Eligible institutions include a broad range of historically designated and other agriculture-focused colleges and schools (such as 1862/1890/1994 land‑grant institutions, non‑land‑grant colleges of agriculture, Hispanic-serving institutions, centers of excellence, junior/community colleges with agriculture programs, and area career/technical education schools). The targeted industry partners can be industry members, registered apprenticeship programs, or nonprofit organizations aimed at helping people obtain agriculture jobs. Grants are intended to grow and strengthen the agriculture industry and improve worker training and retention. At least 5% of grant funds must be used to support the agriculture workforce training program (including recruitment and faculty professional development). The Secretary, through the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), would award these grants, with implementation required by January 31, 2026.
Key Points
- 1New grant program: Adds “agriculture workforce training program grants” to the list of eligible activities under Section 2501(d) of the 1990 Act, administered by the Secretary via NIFA.
- 2Definitions of program and participants:
- 3- Agriculture workforce training program: collaborative training developed by an eligible institution with a targeted industry partner, including internships, apprenticeships, experience-based curricula, and education/workshops to build technical skills.
- 4- Eligible institution: broad list of institutions (1862/1890/1994 land‑grant groups, non‑land‑grant colleges of agriculture, Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges, centers of excellence, junior/community colleges with agriculture programs, and area career and technical education schools offering agriculture programs).
- 5- Targeted industry partner: a member of the agriculture industry, a registered apprenticeship program for agriculture, or a nonprofit aiming to help people obtain agriculture employment.
- 6Grant purpose and use: Grants are to promote growth and competitiveness of the agriculture industry and to improve training and retention of workers. Not less than 5% of grant funds must be used to carry out the agriculture workforce training program, including recruitment measures and professional development for faculty.
- 7Implementation timeline: The Secretary must implement the new program by January 31, 2026.