S. 3420 — Introduced in Senate

II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 3420 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 6, 2023Mrs. Gillibrand introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to provide for a set-aside for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers for grants to support urban agriculture and innovative production, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Growing Opportunities for Innovative Farming Act of 2023. 2. Set-aside for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers Section 222 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6923) is amended by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following: (e) Funding (1) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2028. (2) Set-aside Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1) for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall set aside not less than 10 percent to award grants under subsection (c) to eligible entities that serve socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a))), in amounts of not less than $10,000 per grantee per fiscal year. . 3. Annual report on opportunities and outreach for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers Section 2501(k) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(k)) is amended— (1) in the subsection heading, by striking Report and inserting Reports; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (3) Annual reports Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Growing Opportunities for Innovative Farming Act of 2023, and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing— (A) targeted farming opportunities, training, and outreach practices being carried out by the Secretary under this section; (B) a list of census tracts that the Secretary has provided technical assistance to under this section; (C) recommendations to Congress on how to enhance equity for socially disadvantaged, small farmers and ranchers; and (D) any other data the Secretary determines to be necessary to evaluate the benefits of the technical assistance provided, outreach efforts undertaken, and grants awarded under this section. .