Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

A bill to amend the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to provide permanent disaster assistance for specialty crops, and for other purposes.

The bill would create a permanent system to help specialty crop farmers (like fruit, vegetable, and nut growers) recover from natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and freezes, rather than requiring Congress to approve emergency aid each time a disaster occurs. This would give farmers more reliable financial support when weather or other natural events damage their crops, similar to disaster programs that already exist for major crops like corn and wheat.

A bill to allow the Farm Credit Administration the option to examine low-risk Farm Credit System institutions under a 24-month cycle.

The Farm Credit Administration would be allowed to inspect certain low-risk agricultural lending institutions less frequently—once every 24 months instead of more often—to reduce regulatory burden on these stable financial organizations. This change would primarily affect Farm Credit System institutions that lend money to farmers and rural businesses, potentially allowing them to operate with less frequent government oversight if they meet safety standards. The bill gives regulators flexibility to adjust inspection schedules based on an institution's financial health and risk level.

A bill to amend the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to expand agricultural market access, and for other purposes.

The bill would modify existing agricultural trade laws to help American farmers and food producers access more international markets for their products. It aims to remove trade barriers and expand opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports, which could increase sales and income for farmers and rural communities. The measure is currently under review by the Senate Agriculture Committee.

A bill to appropriate sums for the Secretary of Agriculture to provide block grants to States for losses of revenue as a consequence of certain freezes or cold weather conditions.

The federal government would give money directly to states to help them recover from revenue losses caused by freezes or cold weather that damaged crops or agricultural operations. States would receive these funds as block grants, meaning they'd have flexibility in how to distribute the money to affected farmers and agricultural businesses in their regions. This would help agricultural communities recover from weather-related economic damage without having to wait for individual disaster relief programs.

A bill to provide appropriations to the Secretary of Agriculture to make payments to producers of specialty crops.

The federal government would allocate money to the Department of Agriculture to pay farmers who grow specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, and nuts. These payments would help support producers of crops that are more perishable and market-sensitive than major commodities like corn and wheat. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Agriculture Committee.

A bill to amend the Plant Protection Act to improve plant pest and disease preparedness for specialty crops.

The legislation would strengthen the government's ability to prevent and respond to plant pests and diseases that threaten specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, and nuts. It would give federal agriculture officials better tools and resources to detect outbreaks early, coordinate responses across states, and help farmers protect their harvests from destructive pests and diseases. Specialty crop farmers and consumers who depend on these products would benefit from improved disease prevention and food security.

A bill to amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to reauthorize the specialty crop research initiative and establish a specialty crop mechanization and automation research and development program, and for other purposes.

The bill would extend funding for research programs that help farmers grow fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops more efficiently, and would create a new program focused on developing machines and automated technology to harvest and process these crops. These changes would support agricultural researchers, farmers who grow specialty crops, and equipment manufacturers working to modernize farming practices. The bill is currently under review by the Senate Agriculture Committee.

A bill to amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to increase access to Federal crop insurance for specialty crops.

The bill would make it easier for farmers who grow specialty crops—like fruits, vegetables, and nuts—to get federal crop insurance to protect against losses from bad weather or other disasters. Currently, specialty crop farmers have fewer insurance options compared to farmers growing major crops like corn and soybeans, so this change would help level the playing field and give these farmers better protection for their harvests.

A bill to increase access to artificial intelligence through programs of the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.

The Department of Agriculture would establish new programs to help farmers, rural communities, and agricultural businesses gain access to artificial intelligence tools and technology. These programs could include training, funding, and partnerships to apply AI to farming operations, crop management, and rural development. The goal is to ensure that agricultural workers and rural areas benefit from AI advances rather than being left behind as the technology spreads.

A resolution recognizing and honoring National Mushroom Day and the contributions of Chester and Berks Counties to the national mushroom industry and to healthy diets.

This resolution supports the recognition of National Mushroom Day and honors Pennsylvania for its contributions to the national mushroom industry.

SILVER Act

The bill would change rules about where precious metals like gold and silver can be stored to reduce financial risk and encourage more competition among storage facilities across different regions. Currently, a limited number of depositories handle most precious metals storage, so this legislation aims to allow more facilities to participate and spread out the responsibility. This could give businesses and investors more options for where to keep their precious metals while making the financial system more stable.

A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an initiative to address the availability, quality, and cost of childcare in rural areas, and for other purposes.

The federal government would create a new program to help rural communities improve their childcare options by making care more available, affordable, and higher quality. This initiative would affect families in farming and rural areas who struggle to find reliable childcare, as well as childcare providers and rural businesses that need workers with access to childcare. The Agriculture Department would lead efforts to identify problems and develop solutions tailored to the unique challenges rural areas face.

Scratch Cooked Meals for Students Act of 2026

The proposal would create a test program to help schools prepare meals from basic ingredients rather than relying on pre-made foods, with the goal of improving nutrition and teaching cooking skills to students. Schools participating in the pilot would receive support and resources to implement scratch cooking in their cafeterias. This would affect school lunch programs, students, cafeteria workers, and potentially local food suppliers.

A resolution commemorating the 70th anniversary of the United States Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry.

This resolution honors the 70-year history of a specialized research center that studies and manages forests in Pacific Island territories. The institute helps protect and sustainably manage these unique island ecosystems while supporting local communities that depend on forest resources. The recognition acknowledges the center's contributions to forestry science and conservation in the Pacific region.

MARKET Act of 2026

The federal government would be required to publish a yearly report analyzing how much American farmers depend on selling agricultural products to countries considered adversaries of the United States. This assessment would help policymakers and the public understand potential economic risks if trade relationships with these countries change or become restricted. The report would cover various farm commodities and their export patterns to identify vulnerabilities in American agriculture's reliance on hostile nations.

GROUSE Act of 2026

The bill would create a new program to help restore and improve habitats for upland bird and wildlife species on private and public lands. Farmers, ranchers, and landowners could receive support and funding to manage their property in ways that benefit these species while potentially maintaining their agricultural or other uses. The program would be administered under existing farm conservation rules, affecting how some land is managed across the country.

A resolution expressing support for the designation of May 2026 as "National Beef Month" to recognize the important role cattle play in the United States, and to consumers.

This resolution supports the designation of May 2026 as National Beef Month.

Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026

The proposal would provide free breakfast and lunch to every student in American schools, regardless of their family's income level. Currently, only students from lower-income families qualify for free or reduced-price meals, while others pay full price. This change would affect millions of schoolchildren and require schools to adjust their food service budgets and operations.

Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026

Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a streamlined process for farmers and ranchers to provide benefits under certain federal nutrition programs. These programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP); the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). Specifically, USDA must establish a streamlined application process for farmers and ranchers to apply to be vendors under the nutrition programs, including by developing a single application for the programs or an information sharing system. USDA must also develop a streamlined process for these vendors to use standardized technology to process program benefits (such as a single piece of equipment or a mobile application). Further, USDA must ensure that the program benefit processing equipment and systems made available by a state agency are appropriate for the entity. For example, this includes ensuring wireless or mobile processing equipment and technology systems are appropriate for farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer markets.

Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act of 2026

The bill would strengthen the federal government's Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, which helps cities and suburbs grow food locally through programs like community gardens and rooftop farms. This would benefit urban farmers, community organizations, and city residents looking to increase access to fresh produce in areas where grocery stores are scarce. The changes aim to expand funding and support for these local food-growing initiatives across the country.