AG VETS Act
The AG VETS Act would create a new USDA-administered program that awards competitive grants to eligible entities to establish and expand farming and ranching opportunities for military veterans. The funds would support training, education, curriculum development, and related activities designed to help veterans understand and manage farm or ranch operations. Eligible recipients include cooperative extension services, land-grant and non-land-grant colleges of agriculture, Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges, state departments of agriculture, nonprofit and community-based organizations, or combinations of these groups. The program would require non-federal (matching) funds equal to the grant amount and would authorize $5 million per year from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support these grants. In short, the bill aims to increase veterans’ access to agricultural education and hands-on training by funding targeted programs through approved higher-education and extension networks, with a structured funding and cost-sharing framework.
Key Points
- 1The Secretary of Agriculture must establish a program to award competitive grants to eligible entities to create and enhance farming and ranching opportunities for veterans.
- 2Eligible entities include: cooperative extension services; land-grant and non-land-grant colleges of agriculture; Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities; state departments of agriculture; nonprofit organizations; community-based organizations; or a combination of two or more of these.
- 3Grant activities may include: training and classroom education on farm/ranch operations and management; development or adoption of veteran-focused curricula; education, workshops, tours, and supervised field experiences; and other activities identified by the Secretary to boost veteran participation in agriculture.
- 4Grantees must provide non-Federal matching funds equal to the amount of the grant.
- 5Authorization of appropriations: $5,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030.
- 6Competitive grants: funds awarded based on a competitive application process, with selection criteria set by the Secretary.
- 7Eligible entities are defined to include both traditional higher education and extension entities as well as civilian organizations that can deliver agricultural training.