H.R. 2638 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Agriculture, Apr 3, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryUSDA creates advocate for women farmers
This bill tells the U.S. Department of Agriculture to hire a Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison who will stand up for female farmers and ranchers when they work with USDA. The liaison can also fund research, training, and studies to help women in agriculture succeed. The bill also directs USDA to fund research into farm equipment designed to fit women's bodies better, and to prioritize lending and grants that help rural communities get affordable childcare.
How it affects you
If you're a woman who farms or ranches, this creates someone at USDA whose job is to make sure you're heard and supported. You might benefit from new equipment designed for women, better access to childcare assistance if you live in a rural area, and expanded programs for women-owned farm operations. For the general public, this means USDA will track and report on how programs serve women farmers.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Apr 3, 2025)
Women in Agriculture Act
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the position of Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison within USDA.
Among other things, the liaison must advocate on behalf of women who are farmers and ranchers in interactions with USDA employees and promote the advancement of women in USDA leadership roles. The liaison may also enter into a contract or cooperative agreement to conduct various research, training, and other activities with respect to women who are farmers and ranchers.
The liaison must submit an annual report to Congress on USDA grants, loans, loan guarantees, and cost-share programs for woman-owned agriculture operations.
In addition, the bill expands the USDA high-priority research and extension areas to authorize grants for developing and making widely available agriculture equipment and machinery that is ergonomically designed for use by women.
Further, USDA must give priority to certain loans or grants to address the availability, quality, or cost of childcare in an agricultural or rural community.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 2638
A BILL
Women in Agriculture Act
Sponsor: Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-3) · Introduced Apr 3, 2025 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 18, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.”