To amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program under which the Secretary will award grants to specialty crop producers to acquire certain equipment and provide training with respect to the use of such equipment.
Impact
The bill is expected to significantly impact state laws governing agricultural practices and support the agricultural economy by ensuring specialty crop producers can modernize their operations. By facilitating access to advanced machinery and training, the bill aims to improve production efficiency, support job retention, and potentially introduce innovative practices in farming. Furthermore, this initiative may help boost overall agricultural output, addressing competitive pressures faced by specialty crop producers both nationally and globally.
Summary
House Bill 5097 aims to amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 by directing the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program for awarding grants to specialty crop producers. The intent of this legislation is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop producers across the United States by providing them with the necessary funding to acquire mechanized or automated systems and tools that improve efficiency and reduce labor demands. In addition to acquiring equipment, recipients of the grants will also receive training to effectively use these systems, ensuring that producers can operate with greater technological proficiency.
Contention
While supporters laud the bill for its potential to increase productivity in the agricultural sector, there may be contentions regarding the implications of granting federal support to specific segments of agriculture. Critics could argue that focusing resources on certain crops might overlook the needs of other agricultural sectors. Additionally, there may be questions about the effectiveness of training programs designed for diverse farming practices, which could vary widely across different regions and types of specialty crops.
To amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program under which the Secretary will award grants to specialty crop producers to acquire certain equipment and provide training with respect to the use of such equipment.
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and administer a pilot program to provide grants to support Food is Medicine programs, and for other purposes.
To provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2029, and for other purposes.
A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and administer a pilot program to provide grants to support Food is Medicine programs, and for other purposes.
To amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to waive the matching funds requirement under the specialty crop research initiative, and for other purposes.
Reforms the organizational structure for the Department of Transportation and Development including its duties, powers, and responsibilities of officers and employees (EN INCREASE SD EX See Note)