H.R. 7562: Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026
Sponsor
Marilyn Strickland
Democrat · WA-10
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Feb 12, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Why it matters
The bill is not just symbolic: it would authorize grants of up to $25,000 per operator for repairs, uninsured losses, business planning, market development, conservation practices, and even land down payments, while also requiring an anonymous hotline for complaints about access to USDA programs. That could mean real help for smaller producers who are too small to absorb a bad season or hire consultants to chase federal aid, while larger commodity interests may see it as USDA shifting attention and resources toward a constituency that has often been politically visible but administratively overlooked.
H.R. 7562 Common Questions
How much would small farm grants be under the Office of Small Farms Act?
Grants could be up to $25,000 per operator under the Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026 (Section 2(c)).
What counts as a small farm under HR 7562?
Under HR 7562, a small farm, ranch, or forest operation is generally under 180 acres or a USDA-set alternative acreage limit and has less than $350,000 in annual gross cash farm income (Section 2(a)).
Can small farmers get USDA grants for down payments on land?
Yes. Under the Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026, eligible operators could receive grants for down payments for land acquisition, subject to the $25,000 cap (Section 2(c)).
Does HR 7562 create an anonymous USDA hotline for small farm complaints?
Yes. According to HR 7562 Section 2(c), the new office must operate an anonymous reporting hotline for problems accessing USDA programs.
What can the small farm grants be used for under the bill?
Under the Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026, grants may cover repairs and upgrades, uninsured losses, business planning, market development, conservation practices, and land down payments (Section 2(c)).
How much money would HR 7562 authorize for small farm technical assistance and grants?
HR 7562 authorizes $10 million per year for technical assistance and grants from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 (Section 2(g)).
How much money would the new USDA Office of Small Farms get for administration?
The Office of Small Farms would get $15 million per year for administration for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 under HR 7562 Section 2(g).
Does every state get a USDA small farms coordinator under HR 7562?
Yes. Under the Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026, the Director must designate one State small farms coordinator per State from State office employees (Section 2(e)).
How much of a state small farms coordinator's job must be dedicated to small farms?
At least 50% of the coordinator's duties must be devoted to small farm, ranch, or forest operation work under HR 7562 Section 2(e).
Which USDA agencies would have to appoint small farm liaisons under the bill?
The bill requires liaisons from NRCS, FSA, RMA, Rural Development, NIFA, AMS, ERS, NASS, and the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, among others (Section 2(d)).
Based on H.R. 7562 bill text
HR7562 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Feb 12, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
About the Sponsor
Marilyn Strickland
Democrat, Washington's 10th congressional district · 5 years in Congress
Committees: Armed Services, Transportation and Infrastructure
View full profile →
Cosponsors (3)
All 3 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 3 states: Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina.
Committee Sponsors
Agriculture Committee
2 of 53 committee members cosponsored
23 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 7562 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 296(b) of Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b))
adding at the end the following: ``(11) The authority of the Secretary to carry out section 229
H.R. 7562 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Agriculture
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Agriculture and Food
- Introduced
- Feb 12, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Feb 12, 2026
H.R. 7562 Bill Text
“To amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish an Office of Small Farms, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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