Colonel Gary LaGrange AgVets Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 5218 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5218

To amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program under which the Secretary will award competitive grants to eligible entities for the purpose of establishing and enhancing farming and ranching opportunities for veterans.

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

August 3, 2026

Mr. Moran introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

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A BILL

To amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program under which the Secretary will award competitive grants to eligible entities for the purpose of establishing and enhancing farming and ranching opportunities for veterans.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Colonel Gary LaGrange AgVets Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. AGRICULTURE GRANTS FOR VETERAN EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES.

Title IV of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7624 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 414. AGRICULTURE GRANTS FOR VETERAN EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES.

``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary will award competitive grants to eligible entities for the purpose of establishing and enhancing farming and ranching opportunities for veterans (as defined in section 101(2) of title 38, United States Code). ``(b) Eligible Entities.--An entity is eligible for a grant under this section if such entity is-- ``(1) a cooperative extension service; ``(2) a land-grant college or university (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)); ``(3) a non-land-grant college of agriculture (as defined in such section); ``(4) a Hispanic-serving agricultural college and university (as defined in such section); ``(5) a State department of agriculture; ``(6) a nonprofit organization; ``(7) a community-based organization; or ``(8) a combination of 2 or more eligible entities described in paragraphs (1) through (7). ``(c) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the funds received through the grant-- ``(1) to provide training and classroom education that leads to a comprehensive understanding of farm and ranch business operations and management practices; ``(2) to develop or identify curricula that veteran farmers and ranchers can adopt to help manage their enterprise; ``(3) to offer education, workshops, tours, and instructor- supervised field experiences; or ``(4) to support any other activity, as identified by the Secretary, to increase the number of military veterans pursuing knowledge and skills development in agriculture. ``(d) Matching Funds.--An entity that receives a grant under this section shall provide non-Federal matching funds for the purposes of carrying out this section in an amount equal to not less than the amount of the grant. ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.''. <all>