S.1769 - Farmer to Farmer Education Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The Farmer to Farmer Education Act of 2025 aims to enhance farmer-led technical assistance by amending the Food Security Act of 1985. It focuses on building capacity for farmer-to-farmer networks, connecting farmers with mentors, and supporting goal setting for adopting science-based conservation practices. The bill allows the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with various entities, including non-profits, farmer networks, and tribal organizations, to achieve these purposes.
Expected Effects
This act will likely increase the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices by providing farmers with peer-to-peer support and technical assistance. It will also establish reporting requirements to ensure accountability and track the progress of conservation activities. The prioritization of assistance to historically underserved farmers and those in high-poverty areas could lead to more equitable access to resources and improved outcomes.
Potential Benefits
- Increased adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
- Enhanced support for historically underserved farmers and those in high-poverty areas.
- Improved access to technical assistance and mentorship for farmers.
- Strengthened farmer-to-farmer networks and knowledge sharing.
- Promotion of science-based conservation practices.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for bureaucratic hurdles in establishing and managing cooperative agreements.
- Risk of inefficient resource allocation if reporting requirements are not effectively enforced.
- Possible challenges in ensuring the quality and consistency of technical assistance provided by farmer-to-farmer networks.
- Limited scope, focusing primarily on conservation practices rather than broader agricultural issues.
- Reliance on annual appropriations, which may be subject to fluctuations and uncertainties.
Constitutional Alignment
The Farmer to Farmer Education Act of 2025 appears to align with the general welfare clause of the US Constitution, as it aims to promote sustainable agriculture and support farmers. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. This act falls under the umbrella of promoting the general welfare by supporting agricultural communities and encouraging responsible land stewardship.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).