This bill, titled the "Agriculture Grants for Veterans Education and Training Services Act" or "AG VETS Act," amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998. It mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a new competitive grant program designed to foster and improve farming and ranching opportunities specifically for veterans. The program is authorized to receive appropriations of $5,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund these initiatives. Eligible entities for these grants include cooperative extension services, various land-grant and non-land-grant colleges of agriculture, State departments of agriculture, and nonprofit or community-based organizations. Grant recipients must use the funds to provide comprehensive training, classroom education, curriculum development, workshops, and instructor-supervised field experiences focused on farm and ranch business operations. Additionally, entities receiving grants are required to provide non-Federal matching funds equal to or exceeding the grant amount to support the program's objectives.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
This bill, titled the "Agriculture Grants for Veterans Education and Training Services Act" or "AG VETS Act," amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998. It mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a new competitive grant program designed to foster and improve farming and ranching opportunities specifically for veterans. The program is authorized to receive appropriations of $5,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund these initiatives. Eligible entities for these grants include cooperative extension services, various land-grant and non-land-grant colleges of agriculture, State departments of agriculture, and nonprofit or community-based organizations. Grant recipients must use the funds to provide comprehensive training, classroom education, curriculum development, workshops, and instructor-supervised field experiences focused on farm and ranch business operations. Additionally, entities receiving grants are required to provide non-Federal matching funds equal to or exceeding the grant amount to support the program's objectives.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.