H.R. 2638: Women in Agriculture Act

The Women in Agriculture Act proposes several initiatives aimed at supporting women farmers and ranchers. Below are the main components of the bill:

1. Establishment of Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison

The bill mandates the creation of a new position within the Department of Agriculture called the Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison. This position is to be established within 120 days after the bill is enacted.

2. Duties of the Liaison

The Liaison will have several key responsibilities, including:

• Information and Assistance: Providing information on agricultural programs available to women farmers and ranchers, including eligibility requirements, and assisting them with applications.
• Advocacy: Advocating for women farmers and ranchers within the Department of Agriculture.
• Promotion: Promoting the advancement of women in leadership roles within the Department.
• Reporting: Submitting annual reports to Congress detailing the grants, loans, and cost-share programs provided to woman-owned agriculture operations.
• Technical Assistance: Consulting with the Equity Commission of the Department and providing technical assistance to federal agencies as requested.

3. Reporting Requirements

The Liaison is required to produce an annual report outlining:

• The number and percentage of funding received by woman-owned agricultural operations.
• The percentage of applications made by woman-owned agricultural operations.
• The demographics of women employees at various levels within the Department.

4. Collaboration with Educational and Research Institutions

The Liaison has the authority to partner with educational institutions and research organizations for:

• Conducting research on the profitability of farms run by women.
• Developing educational materials.
• Holding workshops and providing vocational training.
• Implementing mentoring activities and internship opportunities.

5. High-priority Research Areas

The bill also includes provisions for funding research and grants focused on creating ergonomically designed agricultural equipment and machinery suitable for use by women.

6. Support for Child Care

The Act gives priority for loans and grants to applicants who propose to improve the availability, quality, or cost of childcare in agricultural or rural communities.

7. Termination of Authority

Lastly, the bill mentions that the authority for these initiatives will remain in effect as long as the provision is not otherwise terminated.

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