Women in Agriculture Act

This bill establishes a new position within the Department of Agriculture: the Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison . This Liaison will be responsible for providing crucial information about agricultural programs and eligibility requirements to women farmers and ranchers, as well as assisting them in applying for these programs. The role also includes advocating on behalf of women in agriculture within the Department and promoting their advancement into leadership positions. A key duty of the Liaison is to submit and make publicly available an annual report detailing grants, loans, and cost-share programs provided to woman-owned agriculture operations. This report will include specific data such as the percentage of total funding directed to these operations, disaggregated by program, and the percentage of applications made by women-owned agricultural operations. The Liaison may also enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with research centers, higher education institutions, or non-profits to conduct research, develop educational materials, offer workshops, and provide mentoring and internship opportunities for women in agriculture. Beyond the Liaison, the bill expands high-priority research and extension areas to include the development of ergonomically designed agriculture equipment and machinery for use by women . Furthermore, it amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to give priority to loan and grant applicants who propose to address the availability, quality, or cost of childcare in agricultural or rural communities , recognizing its importance for farming families.