Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act

This legislation, titled the Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act, reauthorizes critical funding for rural cooperative development grants under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. It extends appropriations for these grants from 2025 through 2029 , ensuring continued support for the establishment and growth of cooperatives in rural areas. The bill introduces a formal definition for 'cooperative development,' specifying it includes outreach, education, training, and technical assistance for the startup, expansion, or sustainability of cooperatives. Additionally, it modifies grant scoring criteria to prioritize certain applicants and mandates that the Secretary analyze program research data for inclusion in annual reports. The legislation also requires an interagency working group to submit annual reports to Congress detailing its activities, thereby enhancing program transparency and accountability.