Community College Agriculture Advancement Act of 2026

This bill establishes a new program to provide competitive grants to junior and community colleges, or consortia thereof, to bolster their agriculture and natural resources programs. The primary goal is to help these institutions maintain and expand their capacity for workforce training, education, research, and outreach activities in agriculture and related disciplines. Priority for these grants will be given to eligible entities that coordinate with local agriculture industry operators to offer students valuable experiential training and other opportunities.

Funds from these grants can be utilized for various purposes, including enhancing the ability to compete for federal grants, offering educational programming on agricultural industry jobs like farm business management, and disseminating crucial information to the agricultural community. Additionally, the funding supports the purchase of equipment and infrastructure, professional development for faculty, and the creation of apprenticeships and other work-based learning experiences. The bill also allows for the designation of "Centers of Agriculture Advancement" which would demonstrate best practices and provide leadership in capacity building. An evaluation and report on the program's activities are mandated within three years of enactment, with an authorization of $20,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.