McClellan Introduces Bill to Maintain Program to Support New and Underserved Farmers

About Committees and Caucuses Our District Votes and Legislation Contact Email Me Newsletter Subscribe Office Locations Request an Appearance Website Problem Share Your Story Media 2025 in Review 118th Congress in Review In the News Media Kit Newsletters Press Releases Issues Agriculture Armed Services Civil Rights Communications And Technology Congress Economy Education Energy/Environment Health Immigration National Security Repro VA-04 Veterans What Issues Matter To You? Services Art Competition Black History Month Essay Contest Casework Tips! Commendations and Greetings Congressional App Challenge Flags Grant Applicants Help With a Federal Agency Internships Service Academy Nominations Tours and Tickets Youth Advisory Council Veteran of the Year Resources Appropriations Requests Government Shutdown Resources & FAQs Know Your Breastfeeding Rights Know Your Federal Employee Rights Know your Immigration Rights Know Your Reproductive Rights Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow Follow McClellan Introduces Bill to Maintain Program to Support New and Underserved Farmers October 26, 2026 | Agriculture , Congress , Press Releases , Veterans 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