S. 3860: Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026
Sponsor
Cory Booker
Democrat · NJ
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Feb 12, 2026
Read twice and Referred to Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. for review
Why it matters
The key move is structural: the bill amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to create a new office and defines a qualifying small farm, ranch, or forest operation as one under 180 acres or meeting another acreage-based standard set in the law. If enacted, smaller producers could see more tailored advocacy and potentially better access to USDA programs, while larger operations lose a bit of the bureaucratic advantage that comes from having agencies and rules designed around their scale; the real test will be whether this office gets enough authority and resources to do more than just exist on paper.
S. 3860 Common Questions
How much grant money can a small farm get under the Office of Small Farms Establishment Act?
Eligible operations could receive grants of up to $25,000 under the Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026 (Section 2(c)(7)).
What counts as a small farm under S3860?
Under S3860 Section 2(a), a small farm, ranch, or forest operation is generally under 180 acres and has annual gross cash farm income under $350,000, unless the Secretary sets an alternative acreage standard.
How much funding does the Office of Small Farms get each year?
According to S3860 Section 2(g), the bill authorizes $15 million a year for administration and $10 million a year for technical assistance and grants for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Can small farms get USDA help with land down payments under this bill?
Yes. The Office of Small Farms Establishment Act allows grants for land acquisition down payments under Section 2(c)(7).
Does S3860 create an anonymous USDA hotline for small farmers?
Yes. Under the Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026, the Director must operate an anonymous hotline for reporting problems accessing USDA programs (Section 2(c)).
Can small farms get grants for uninsured losses under the Office of Small Farms Establishment Act?
Yes. Under the Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026, grants of up to $25,000 may cover uninsured losses (Section 2(c)(7)).
Which USDA agencies must appoint small farm liaisons under S3860?
S3860 Section 2(d) requires liaisons from NRCS, FSA, RMA, Rural Development, NIFA, AMS, ERS, NASS, and the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, with others as the Secretary determines.
Does every state have to have a small farms coordinator under this bill?
Yes. Under the Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026, the Director must designate one State small farms coordinator in each State from existing State office employees (Section 2(e)).
How much of a state small farms coordinator's job must be spent on small farm work?
At least 50% of the coordinator's duties must be dedicated to small farm-related work under S3860 Section 2(e).
Can the USDA change the acreage limit for small farms by region or production system under S3860?
Yes. Under S3860 Section 2(a), the Secretary may use an alternative acreage-based definition based on State, region, or production system.
Based on S. 3860 bill text
S3860 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Feb 12, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
About the Sponsor
Cory Booker
Democrat, NJ · 13 years in Congress
Committees: Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Foreign Relations
View full profile →
Committee Sponsors
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
0 of 23 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
11 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does S. 3860 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
S. 3860 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
- Chamber
- Senate
- Policy
- Agriculture and Food
- Introduced
- Feb 12, 2026
Read twice and Referred to Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. for review
Feb 12, 2026
S. 3860 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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