Reps. Brown, McClellan, and Salinas Introduce Legislation to Support New and Underserved Farmers

Image October 30, 2026 Press Release Washington, DC – Shontel Brown (OH-11), Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) have introduced the Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Grant Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 10914), to better support new, underserved and veteran farmers with improved access to training, education and technical assistance. Read the full bill text here. The food and agriculture sector serves as a pillar of Ohio's economy, employing 1 in 8 Ohioans and contributing $124 billion annually to the state's economic output. Despite this baseline stability, family-owned operations face increasing economic strain, culminating in 400 Ohio farms shutting down operations over a single year according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 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. “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. 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. “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.” “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. ### Issues : Economy and Economic Development Nutrition and Agriculture