I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4201 
To improve the ability of beginning farmers in the United States to acquire 
farms and participate in agricultural production, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 1, 2017 
Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York (for himself and Mr. COSTELLO 
of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight 
and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by 
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall with-
in the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To improve the ability of beginning farmers in the United 
States to acquire farms and participate in agricultural 
production, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Young and Beginning Farmers Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
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TITLE I—IMPROVED ACCESS TO LAND 
Sec. 101. Land trust eligibility for assistance for agricultural land easements. 
Sec. 102. Priority for option to purchase at agricultural value in agricultural 
land easements. 
Sec. 103. Prequalification of prospective applicants for credit from Farm Serv-
ice Agency programs. 
Sec. 104. Increase in limitation on amount of direct farm ownership loans; in-
flation indexation of limit. 
Sec. 105. Report and action plan on agricultural conservation easement pro-
gram. 
TITLE II—IMPROVED ACCESS TO DEPARTMENT OF 
AGRICULTURE TRAINING AND PROGRAMS 
Sec. 201. Beginning farmer coordination. 
Sec. 202. Transfer of Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers 
to jurisdiction of Farm Service Agency. 
Sec. 203. Department of Agriculture on-line customer self-service portal. 
Sec. 204. Beginning farmer and rancher development program to provide train-
ing, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives. 
Sec. 205. Reauthorization of beginning farmer and rancher individual develop-
ment accounts pilot program. 
Sec. 206. Sale of surplus farm equipment or property to socially disadvantaged 
farmers or ranchers, veteran farmers or ranchers, and begin-
ning farmers or ranchers. 
TITLE III—INVESTMENT IN LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD 
SYSTEMS 
Sec. 301. Mandatory funding for farmers’ market and local food promotion pro-
gram. 
Sec. 302. Grants to support farm viability programs. 
TITLE I—IMPROVED ACCESS TO 
LAND 
SEC. 101. LAND TRUST ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE FOR 
AGRICULTURAL LAND EASEMENTS. 
(a) LAND TRUSTS.—Section 1265B of the Food Se-
curity Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865b) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) LAND TRUSTS.— 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE.—Notwith-
standing section 1001D(b), an eligible entity that is 
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a qualified land trust, as determined by the Sec-
retary, may receive assistance under this section. 
‘‘(2) ASSISTANCE FOR RESERVATION OF EASE-
MENT.—The Secretary may provide assistance to an 
eligible entity that is a qualified land trust to sup-
plement the sale price of eligible land to a farmer or 
rancher, who is not ineligible to receive assistance 
under section 1001D, if the eligible entity that is a 
qualified land trust reserves for itself an agricultural 
land easement in the eligible land.’’. 
(b) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
1001D(b)(1) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 
1308–3a(b)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘Notwith-
standing’’ and inserting ‘‘Except as provided in section 
1265B(e), notwithstanding’’. 
SEC. 102. PRIORITY FOR OPTION TO PURCHASE AT AGRI-
CULTURAL VALUE IN AGRICULTURAL LAND 
EASEMENTS. 
Section 1265B(b)(3) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865b(b)(3)) is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(D) PRIORITY.—In evaluating applica-
tions under the program, the Secretary shall 
give priority to an application for the purchase 
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of an agricultural land easement that, as deter-
mined by the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) maintains agricultural viability; 
‘‘(ii) includes, as a condition of the 
easement, a requirement that any subse-
quent purchase of the land subject to the 
easement shall be at agricultural value; or 
‘‘(iii) achieves the objectives of both 
clauses (i) and (ii).’’. 
SEC. 103. PREQUALIFICATION OF PROSPECTIVE APPLI-
CANTS FOR CREDIT FROM FARM SERVICE 
AGENCY PROGRAMS. 
Not later than October 1, 2018, the Secretary of Ag-
riculture shall develop and implement procedures to en-
sure that the Farm Service Agency is prepared, in ad-
vance, to respond to a request by a prospective loan appli-
cant (other than a request for preapproval) for a prelimi-
nary determination on— 
(1) whether the prospective applicant would 
likely qualify for credit under any program adminis-
tered by the Farm Service Agency; or 
(2) the amount of credit for which the prospec-
tive applicant would likely qualify under any such 
program. 
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SEC. 104. INCREASE IN LIMITATION ON AMOUNT OF DI-
RECT FARM OWNERSHIP LOANS; INFLATION 
INDEXATION OF LIMIT. 
Section 305 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural De-
velopment Act (7 U.S.C. 1925) is amended to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘SEC. 305. LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT OF FARM OWNERSHIP 
LOANS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall make or in-
sure no loan under section 302, 303, 304, 310D, or 310E 
of this title that would cause the unpaid indebtedness 
under such sections of any 1 borrower to exceed the small-
er of— 
‘‘(1) the value of the farm or other security; or 
‘‘(2)(A) in the case of a loan other than a loan 
guaranteed by the Secretary, $500,000 (increased, 
beginning with the fiscal year 2019, by the regional 
farm real estate inflation percentage applicable to 
the region where the farm involved is located for the 
fiscal year in which the loan is made, and decreased 
by the amount of any unpaid indebtedness of the 
borrower on direct loans under subtitle B); or 
‘‘(B) in the case of a loan guaranteed by the 
Secretary, $700,000 (increased, beginning with fiscal 
year 2000, by the cost inflation percentage applica-
ble to the fiscal year in which the loan is guaranteed 
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and reduced by the amount of any unpaid indebted-
ness of the borrower on loans under subtitle B that 
are guaranteed by the Secretary). 
‘‘(b) DETERMINATION OF VALUE.—In determining 
the value of the farm, the Secretary shall consider apprais-
als made by competent appraisers under rules established 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(c) COST INFLATION PERCENTAGE.—For purposes 
of this section, the cost inflation percentage applicable to 
a fiscal year is the percentage (if any) by which— 
‘‘(1) the average of the Prices Paid By Farmers 
Index (as compiled by the National Agricultural Sta-
tistics Service of the Department of Agriculture) for 
the 12-month period ending on August 31 of the im-
mediately preceding fiscal year; exceeds 
‘‘(2) the average of such index (as so defined) 
for the 12-month period ending on August 31, 1996. 
‘‘(d) REGIONAL FARM REAL ESTATE INFLATION 
PERCENTAGE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of this sec-
tion, the regional farm real estate inflation percent-
age applicable to a farm for a fiscal year is the per-
centage (if any) by which— 
‘‘(A) the regional farm real estate inflation 
index developed under paragraph (2) for the re-
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gion in which the farm is located, for the 12- 
month period ending on August 31 of the im-
mediately preceding fiscal year; exceeds 
‘‘(B) the average of the index (as so de-
fined) for the 12-month period ending on Au-
gust 31, 2018. 
‘‘(2) DEVELOPMENT.—The Secretary shall de-
velop a regional farm real estate inflation index for 
measuring periodic changes in the price of farm real 
estate in each geographic region of the United 
States, using data from the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service. 
‘‘(e) MICROLOANS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), 
the Secretary may establish a program to make or 
guarantee microloans. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATIONS.—The Secretary shall not 
make or guarantee a microloan under this sub-
section that would cause the total principal indebted-
ness outstanding at any 1 time for microloans made 
under this subtitle to any 1 borrower to exceed 
$50,000. 
‘‘(3) APPLICATIONS.—To the maximum extent 
practicable, the Secretary shall limit the administra-
tive burdens and streamline the application and ap-
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proval process for microloans under this sub-
section.’’. 
SEC. 105. REPORT AND ACTION PLAN ON AGRICULTURAL 
CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the agricultural conservation easement program 
established under section 1265(a) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865(a)) remains a valuable pro-
gram in assisting beginning farmers and ranchers in ac-
quiring farmland for productive use. 
(b) REPORT AND PLAN REQUIRED.—Not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service shall 
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate a report that includes— 
(1) an evaluation of the extent in which the ag-
ricultural conservation easement program supports 
beginning farmers or ranchers in acquiring farm-
land; and 
(2) a plan to address any shortcomings identi-
fied through the evaluation for the purpose of fur-
thering the goals of the agricultural conservation 
easement program to protect farmland and help 
farmers access farmland for productive use. 
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TITLE II—IMPROVED ACCESS TO 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUL-
TURE TRAINING AND PRO-
GRAMS 
SEC. 201. BEGINNING FARMER COORDINATION. 
(a) PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, 
acting through the Administrator of the Farm Service 
Agency, shall implement a program to assign to each State 
at least one coordinator to— 
(1) promote communication between the De-
partment of Agriculture and beginning farmers or 
ranchers (as defined in section 206(b)) located in 
such State; and 
(2) increase the access of such beginning farm-
ers or ranchers to apprenticeship programs, farm 
loan programs, and land available for purchase. 
(b) USE OF CURRENT EMPLOYEES.—The assignment 
of beginning farmer coordinators in compliance with sub-
section (a) may be accomplished through the designation 
of current employees of the Department of Agriculture 
and does not require the hiring of additional employees. 
(c) STATE DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘‘State’’ means each of the several States, the District of 
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Columbia, and any commonwealth, territory, or possession 
of the United States. 
SEC. 202. TRANSFER OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON BEGIN-
NING FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO JURIS-
DICTION OF FARM SERVICE AGENCY. 
The Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act 
of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) in section 226B(e)(2) (7 U.S.C. 6934)— 
(A) by striking subparagraph (C); and 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as 
subparagraph (C); and 
(2) in section 226 (7 U.S.C. 6932), by adding 
at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(i) ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON BEGINNING FARMERS 
AND RANCHERS.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall co-
ordinate the activities of the Farm Service Agency with 
the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and 
Ranchers established under section 5(b) of the Agricul-
tural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (7 U.S.C. 1929 
note; Public Law 102–554).’’. 
SEC. 203. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ON-LINE CUS-
TOMER SELF-SERVICE PORTAL. 
(a) CUSTOMER SELF-SERVICE PORTAL.—The Sec-
retary of Agriculture shall develop an on-line customer 
self-service portal through which farmers and ranchers will 
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be able to securely access their customer and program in-
formation and complete program applications in a wide 
range of agricultural programs offered by the Department 
of Agriculture. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that the development of an on-line customer self- 
service portal, as required by subsection (a), should not 
negatively impact the many farmers and ranchers who do 
not yet have access to high-speed internet or who would 
prefer not to utilize the online self-service portal. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For the 
three-fiscal year period beginning on October 1, 2018, 
there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
of Agriculture to carry out subsection (a)— 
(1) not less than $6,000,000; and 
(2) such additional amounts as are considered 
appropriate. 
SEC. 204. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER DEVELOP-
MENT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE TRAINING, 
EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND TECHNICAL AS-
SISTANCE INITIATIVES. 
Section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f) is amended by striking 
subsection (h) and inserting the following new subsections: 
‘‘(h) INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS.— 
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‘‘(1) TRANSFER OF FUNDS AUTHORIZED.—Of 
the funds made available under subsection (i), the 
Secretary may transfer up to $10,000,000 per year, 
plus allocable administrative costs, for individual de-
velopment accounts as authorized under section 
333B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 1983b). 
‘‘(2) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—The Secretary 
may not use more than 4 percent of the funds trans-
ferred under this subsection for administrative costs 
incurred in implementing the individual development 
accounts authorized under section 333B of the Con-
solidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
U.S.C. 1983b). 
‘‘(i) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) MANDATORY FUNDING.—Of the funds of 
the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary 
shall make available to carry out this section— 
‘‘(A) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; 
‘‘(B) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2019 and 2020; 
‘‘(C) $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2021 and 2022; and 
‘‘(D) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and 
each fiscal year thereafter. 
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‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In 
addition to funds provided under paragraph (1), 
there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this section $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2018 and 
each fiscal year thereafter. 
‘‘(3) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts made available 
under this subsection shall remain available until ex-
pended.’’. 
SEC. 205. REAUTHORIZATION OF BEGINNING FARMER AND 
RANCHER INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT AC-
COUNTS PILOT PROGRAM. 
Subsection (h) of section 333B of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1983b) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In ad-
dition to any amounts provided under section 7405 of the 
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 
U.S.C. 3319f), there is authorized to be appropriated to 
carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2018 through 2023.’’. 
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SEC. 206. SALE OF SURPLUS FARM EQUIPMENT OR PROP-
ERTY TO SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARM-
ERS OR RANCHERS, VETERAN FARMERS OR 
RANCHERS, AND BEGINNING FARMERS OR 
RANCHERS. 
(a) SALE AUTHORIZED.—The Administrator of Gen-
eral Services, under regulations prescribed by the Admin-
istrator, may sell to a socially disadvantaged farmer or 
rancher, veteran farmer or rancher, or beginning farmer 
or rancher any farm equipment acquired by the General 
Services Administration that— 
(1) is suitable for use in farming operations; 
and 
(2) has been determined to be surplus property 
under chapter 5 of title 40, United States Code. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) BEGINNING
FARMER
OR
RANCHER.—The 
term ‘‘beginning farmer or rancher’’ means an indi-
vidual or entity that has not operated a farm or 
ranch or that has operated a farm or ranch for not 
more than 10 consecutive years and that will materi-
ally and substantially participate in the operation of 
the farm or ranch. In the case of an entity, these 
requirements apply to all members of the entity. 
(2) FOOD, AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION, AND 
TRADE ACT OF 1990 TERMS.—The terms ‘‘socially 
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disadvantaged farmer or rancher’’ and ‘‘veteran 
farmer or rancher’’ have the meanings given those 
terms in section 2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279(e)). 
TITLE 
III—INVESTMENT 
IN 
LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD 
SYSTEMS 
SEC. 301. MANDATORY FUNDING FOR FARMERS’ MARKET 
AND LOCAL FOOD PROMOTION PROGRAM. 
Section 6(g)(1) of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct 
Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005(g)(1)) is amend-
ed— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara-
graph (C); 
(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘2018.’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2017; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(E) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2018 through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 302. GRANTS TO SUPPORT FARM VIABILITY PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary of Agri-
culture may make competitive grants to support a farm 
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viability program developed by a public or private entity 
that is designed— 
(1) to improve the economic viability and integ-
rity of farms participating in the program through 
the development and implementation of a farm via-
bility plans; and 
(2) to provide participating farmers with tech-
nical, legal, marketing, and business planning assist-
ance to expand, upgrade, and modernize their agri-
cultural operations and assist in land access and 
transfer. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Agri-
culture to make grants under this section $5,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2018 through 2023. 
Æ 
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