Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) and Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) introduced H.R. 10914, the Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Grant Program Reauthorization Act, to better support new, underserved and veteran farmers with improved access to training, education and technical assistance. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Senate companion legislation in June of 2026.
Rural farmers and ranchers have served as the backbone of the American economy since its founding, and agriculture remains the number one private industry in Virginia. Yet new farmers, especially those from underserved communities, can face immense challenges getting their business off the ground. The Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach (FOTO) Program improves success rates for these farmers.
“As the number one private industry in Virginia, agriculture keeps our local economies and communities running. Yet Virginia’s farms, more than 90 percent of which are individual or family-owned, often struggle to turn a profit. Extreme weather, rising costs and unstable markets make the difference between a good year and a bad year,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “The FOTO Program exists to lend a helping hand to underserved farmers just starting out to navigate these challenges. My bill will extend this invaluable resource to further ensure that our farmers have every tool at their disposal to thrive.”
This bill reauthorizes the FOTO Program from 2027 to 2031. It would also ensure the program can better serve the growing number of Hispanic, American Indian, Black and Asian farmers by allowing grants to support interpretation and translation services as part of outreach and technical assistance. The bill would additionally strengthen accountability by requiring USDA to collect and report data on FOTO grant awards and recipients, including demographic information, to help ensure the program is effectively reaching the producers it is intended to serve.
“Agriculture offers an array of rewarding careers and opportunities for people from every background, but we must do more to make sure everyone who wants to get into the industry has a fair shot. That’s why I’m proud to join Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan on the Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Grant Program Reauthorization Act. This important legislation reauthorizes and strengthens the FOTO program and helps ensure that the USDA reaches the producers it is intended to serve,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown, Vice Ranking Member House Committee on Agriculture.
“Farmers and ranchers are the backbone of Oregon’s economy, but too many people who want to start a farm have trouble getting the training and resources they need to succeed,” said Congresswoman Salinas. “In the Willamette Valley, we know how important it is to support the next generation of farmers and ensure that everyone has a fair shot at success. This bill will help new farmers access the training, mentorship, and technical assistance they need, while breaking down language barriers that too often stand in their way. I’m proud to help lead this effort to strengthen our agricultural communities and support the next generation of farmers.”
This bill is endorsed by the National Family Farm Coalition, Rural Coalition, Virginia Coalition of Immigrant Rights (VACIR) and Virginia State University.
“The FOTO Program helps dismantle some of the barriers that face beginning farmers and ranchers and historically underserved producers,” said Tiffany Bellfield El-Amin, President of the National Family Farm Coalition, and Executive Director of Kentucky Black Farmers Association. “We thank Congresswoman McClellan for introducing this crucial bill, which would reauthorize and improve the program so that more farmers and ranchers from diverse backgrounds can enter the industry, which is especially important as each year sees dwindling numbers of small and mid-size farms. While this bill makes needed improvements to FOTO, Congress must also fully fund it annually so that it can realize its full potential.”
“Rural Coalition and our diverse community-based members commend Congresswoman McClellan for introducing the ‘Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Grant Program Reauthorization Act of 2026.’ The long-standing FOTO programs have played a critical role in improving access to USDA programs by ensuring farmers and ranchers have the direct support they need to navigate federal agriculture programs and to run successful farm operations,” said Lorette Picciano, Executive Director of Rural Coalition. “At a time when producers face growing challenges, the qualified technical assistance FOTO programs provide to farmers and ranchers from all backgrounds and operation types remains an important investment in the future of agriculture in this nation.”
“VACIR is proud to support Virginia’s agricultural community that ensures our families have healthy food on the table. Without Virginia farmers, many of whom are increasingly from diverse backgrounds, there is simply no food,” said Monica Sarmiento, Executive Director of VACIR. “We applaud Congresswoman McClellan’s leadership on this important matter. We hope that Congress acts quickly to reauthorize this vital food security program that supports rural communities with funding, jobs and opportunities.”
Virginia State University wrote the following:
“Virginia State University’s College of Agriculture supports continued federal investment in outreach, technical assistance, and access to agricultural programs for small, veteran, and beginning farmers and ranchers.
“As an 1890 land-grant institution, VSU works directly with farmers and communities across Virginia. Through our Extension and Small Farm Outreach programs, we see firsthand the value of trusted technical assistance, strong partnerships, and helping producers successfully access USDA programs and resources.
“The Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Grant Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 strengthens this work by continuing critical outreach and technical assistance, improving language access, and increasing transparency around participation in federal agricultural programs.
“These investments will help land-grant universities and community partners meet farmers where they are, expand access to opportunity, and strengthen pathways to farm viability, profitability, and long-term sustainability.
“Virginia State University remains committed to working with USDA and our partners to ensure farmers across the Commonwealth have the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed.”
“Agriculture is Virginia’s largest private sector industry and farmers are the backbone of that success,” said Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier. “We need to support the next generation of farmers and provide them with the resources and programs to navigate the early years of building a farm business to build a foundation for their long-term resilience and stability. We thank Congresswoman McClellan for supporting these programs and her commitment to Virginia’s farmers.”
Read the full bill text here.