Title: Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2017
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2017
This bill modifies several Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs to authorize additional assistance for beginning farmers and ranchers. The bill modifies USDA programs that address conservation, credit, rural development, research and education, and crop insurance.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4316 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 4316

To provide for the reform and continuation of the beginning farmer and 
                rancher program, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            November 8, 2017

  Mr. Walz (for himself and Mr. Fortenberry) introduced the following 
   bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in 
    addition to the Committee on Appropriations, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To provide for the reform and continuation of the beginning farmer and 
                rancher program, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 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 ``Beginning Farmer 
and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2017''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                         TITLE I--CONSERVATION

Sec. 101. Conservation reserve.
Sec. 102. Contracts.
Sec. 103. Establishment and administration of environmental quality 
                            incentives program.
Sec. 104. Conservation innovation grants and payments.
Sec. 105. Commodity Credit Corporation.
Sec. 106. Agricultural land easements.
                            TITLE II--CREDIT

Sec. 201. Adjustment of maximum limit on amount of direct farm 
                            ownership loans for regional farm real 
                            estate inflation; authority to make or 
                            guarantee farm ownership microloans.
Sec. 202. Cooperative agreements.
Sec. 203. Borrower training.
Sec. 204. Funding of individual development accounts.
                      TITLE III--RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Sec. 301. Rural microentrepreneur assistance program.
              TITLE IV--RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION

Sec. 401. Beginning farmer and rancher development program.
Sec. 402. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.
Sec. 403. Farmland tenure.
                        TITLE V--CROP INSURANCE

Sec. 501. Consistent beginning farmer and rancher definition under 
                            Federal Crop Insurance Act.
Sec. 502. Risk management partnership programs.
Sec. 503. Funding for crop insurance research, development, and 
                            maintenance costs.
Sec. 504. Crop insurance education and information for producers.
Sec. 505. Beginning farmer and rancher disaster assistance.
Sec. 506. Beginning farmer and rancher crop insurance study.
                        TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 601. Small and beginning farmer and rancher coordinators.

                         TITLE I--CONSERVATION

SEC. 101. CONSERVATION RESERVE.

    Section 1231 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
        ``2023'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (5)(B)(ii), by striking the period 
                at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) land that is transitioning under the terms of section 
        1235(f).''; and
            (3) in subsection (d), by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Transition options.--For the purposes of applying the 
        limitations in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not count 
        acres transitioning under the terms of section 1235(f).''.

SEC. 102. CONTRACTS.

    Section 1235 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3835) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(1)(B)(iii), by striking ``a retired 
        or retiring owner or operator'' and inserting ``an eligible 
        landowner (as defined in section 1235(f)(1)(A))'';
            (2) in subsection (f)--
                    (A) in the heading by striking ``Option'' and 
                inserting ``Options'';
                    (B) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2), and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(1) Definitions.--
                    ``(A) Eligible landowner.--In this subsection, the 
                term `eligible landowner' means a landowner who is--
                            ``(i) a current contract holder under the 
                        conservation reserve program; and
                            ``(ii) in the case of the transition of 
                        farmland through a long-term lease or rental 
                        agreement as outlined in paragraph (2)(A)(ii), 
                        at least 65 years of age.
                    ``(B) Covered farmer.--In this subsection, the term 
                `covered farmer' means a beginning farmer or rancher, a 
                socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, or a veteran 
                farmer or rancher (as defined in section 2501(e) of the 
                Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
                (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))), who is not a family member (as 
                defined in section 1001 of this Act) of the eligible 
                landowner.
            ``(2) Transition to covered farmer.--In the case of a 
        contract modification approved in order to facilitate the 
        transfer of land subject to a contract from an eligible 
        landowner to a covered farmer, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) allow the eligible landowner to terminate the 
                contract up to--
                            ``(i) 3 years early, without penalty, and 
                        beginning on the date of termination, sell to 
                        the covered farmer the land subject to the 
                        contract for production purposes; or
                            ``(ii) 2 years early, without penalty, and 
                        beginning on the date of termination, lease 
                        (under a long-term lease or a lease with an 
                        option to purchase) to the covered farmer the 
                        land subject to the contract for production 
                        purposes;
                    ``(B) beginning on the date that is 2 years before 
                the date of termination of the contract--
                            ``(i) allow the covered farmer, in 
                        conjunction with the eligible landowner, to 
                        make conservation and land improvements, 
                        including preparing to plant an agricultural 
                        crop; and
                            ``(ii) allow the covered farmer to begin 
                        the certification process under the Organic 
                        Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et 
                        seq.);
                    ``(C) require the covered farmer to develop and 
                implement a comprehensive conservation plan that 
                addresses all resource concerns and meets such 
                sustainability criteria as the Secretary may establish;
                    ``(D) provide to the covered farmer an opportunity 
                to enroll in the conservation stewardship program or 
                the environmental quality incentives program at any 
                time beginning on the date that is 1 year before the 
                date of termination of the contract, including 
                technical and financial assistance in the development 
                of a comprehensive conservation plan;
                    ``(E) provide the covered farmer with the option to 
                reenroll any applicable partial field conservation 
                practice that--
                            ``(i) is eligible for enrollment under the 
                        continuous signup option pursuant to section 
                        1234(d)(2)(A)(ii); and
                            ``(ii) is part of an approved conservation 
                        plan; and
                    ``(F) continue to make annual payments to the 
                eligible landowner for not more than--
                            ``(i) an additional 3 years after the date 
                        of termination of the contract in the case of 
                        the sale of farmland to the covered farmer; or
                            ``(ii) an additional 2 years after the date 
                        of termination of the contract in the case of a 
                        long-term lease of farmland to the covered 
                        farmer.''.

SEC. 103. ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 
              INCENTIVES PROGRAM.

    Section 1240B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2) 
is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``2015'' and inserting 
        ``2023''; and
            (2) in subsection (d)(4)(B)--
                    (A) in clause (i)--
                            (i) by striking ``Not more than'' and 
                        inserting ``The Secretary shall provide at 
                        least''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``may be provided in 
                        advance for the purpose of'' and inserting ``in 
                        advance for all costs related to''; and
                    (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``90-day'' and 
                inserting ``180-day''.

SEC. 104. CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS AND PAYMENTS.

    Section 1240H of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-8) 
is amended in--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2)(D), by inserting ``and by 
        beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers'' 
        after ``specialty crops''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 105. COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION.

    Section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; 
                        and'' and inserting a semicolon;
                            (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
                        subparagraph (C) and inserting after 
                        subparagraph (A) the following:
                    ``(B) such sums as are necessary to carry out 
                section 1235(f) to facilitate the transfer of land 
                subject to contracts under the conservation reserve 
                program from an eligible landowner to beginning farmers 
                or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or 
                ranchers; and''; and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C) (as so 
                        redesignated)--
                                    (I) by striking ``$33,000,000'' and 
                                inserting ``$5,000,000''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``2014 through 
                                2018'' and all that follows through the 
                                period at the end and inserting ``2019 
                                through 2023 for outreach and technical 
                                assistance in carrying out section 
                                1235(f).''; and
            (2) in subsection (h)(1)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``5 percent'' 
                and inserting ``15 percent''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``5 percent'' 
                and inserting ``15 percent''.

SEC. 106. 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 applications under 
                the program, the Secretary shall give priority to an 
                application for the purchase of an agricultural land 
                easement that--
                            ``(i) maintains agricultural viability, as 
                        determined by the Secretary; or
                            ``(ii) includes, as a condition of the 
                        easement, a requirement that any subsequent 
                        purchase of the land subject to the easement 
                        shall be at agricultural value.''.

                            TITLE II--CREDIT

SEC. 201. ADJUSTMENT OF MAXIMUM LIMIT ON AMOUNT OF DIRECT FARM 
              OWNERSHIP LOANS FOR REGIONAL FARM REAL ESTATE INFLATION; 
              AUTHORITY TO MAKE OR GUARANTEE FARM OWNERSHIP MICROLOANS.

    Section 305 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
U.S.C. 1925) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``$300,000'' and inserting 
                ``$500,000 (increased, beginning with fiscal year 2019, 
                by the regional farm real estate inflation percentage 
                applicable to the location 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)''; 
                and
                    (B) by inserting ``cost'' before ``inflation 
                percentage'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
                ``Inflation Percentage'' and inserting ``Cost Inflation 
                Percentage''; and
                    (B) in the text, by inserting ``cost'' before 
                ``inflation percentage''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Regional Farm Real Estate Inflation Percentage.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the 
        regional farm real estate inflation percentage applicable to a 
        farm for a fiscal year is the percentage (if any) by which--
                    ``(A) the regional farm real estate inflation index 
                developed under paragraph (2) for the region in which 
                the farm is located, for the 12-month period ending on 
                August 31 of the immediately preceding fiscal year; 
                exceeds
                    ``(B) the average of the index (as so defined) for 
                the 12-month period ending on August 31, 2018.
            ``(2) Development.--The Secretary shall develop 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 subsection that would cause 
        the total principal indebtedness 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 administrative burdens and streamline 
        the application and approval process for microloans under this 
        subsection.''.

SEC. 202. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.

    Section 313(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1943(c)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``title'' and inserting 
        ``subtitle''; and
            (2) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``lending 
                pilot projects'' and inserting ``agreements'';
                    (B) by striking subparagraphs (A) through (C) and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), 
                during each of the 2018 through 2023 fiscal years, the 
                Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with 
                community development financial institutions and 
                nonprofit organizations, as the Secretary determines 
                appropriate, to provide business, financial, marketing, 
                and credit management services and technical assistance 
                to microloan borrowers.
                    ``(B) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a 
                cooperative agreement under subparagraph (A), an 
                institution described in subparagraph (A) shall, as 
                determined by the Secretary--
                            ``(i) have a proven track record of 
                        successfully assisting agricultural borrowers; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) have the services of a staff with 
                        appropriate expertise in business, financial, 
                        marketing, credit management services, and 
                        technical assistance.'';
            (3) in subparagraph (D)--
                    (A) by striking ``(D)'' and inserting ``(C)''; and
                    (B) by striking ``loan'' and inserting 
                ``cooperative agreement''; and
            (4) by striking subparagraph (E).

SEC. 203. BORROWER TRAINING.

    Section 359 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
U.S.C. 2006a) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Coordination.--The Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum 
extent practicable, that financial management training programs funded 
under the beginning farmer and rancher development program under 
section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 are 
designed so that--
            ``(1) successful completion of such a financial management 
        training program will satisfy the borrower training 
        requirements under this section; and
            ``(2) a contract to provide such a financial management 
        training program may be entered into under subsection (b).''.

SEC. 204. FUNDING OF INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS.

    Section 333B(h) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1983b(h)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to any amounts 
provided under section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f) for such purpose, there is authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2019 through 2023.''.

                      TITLE III--RURAL DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 301. RURAL MICROENTREPRENEUR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    Section 379E(d) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
(7 U.S.C. 2008s(d)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
        Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use $5,000,000 for each 
        of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to carry out this section, to 
        remain available until expended.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2009 through 2018'' and 
        inserting ``2019 through 2023''.

              TITLE IV--RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION

SEC. 401. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    Section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(7 U.S.C. 3319f) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (b) and redesignating subsection 
        (c) as subsection (b);
            (2) in subsection (b), as so redesignated--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``Grants'' and 
                inserting ``Programs'';
                    (B) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 
        beginning farmer and rancher development program to provide 
        training, education, outreach, and technical assistance 
        initiatives to increase opportunities for beginning farmers or 
        ranchers.'';
                    (C) by inserting ``or cooperative agreements'' 
                after ``grants'' each place it appears;
                    (D) by inserting ``or cooperative agreement'' after 
                ``grant'' each place it appears;
                    (E) by striking ``subsection'' each place it 
                appears and inserting ``section'';
                    (F) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``A grant'' 
                and inserting ``Except as provided in subsections (e) 
                and (h), a grant'';
                    (G) in paragraph (5)--
                            (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and 
                        (F) as subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively; 
                        and
                            (ii) by inserting after subparagraph (D) 
                        the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) degree of involvement of farmers in project 
                design, implementation, and decision-making;''; and
                    (H) by striking paragraphs (4), (8), and (11) and 
                redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), (7), (9), and (10) 
                as paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8), 
                respectively;
            (3) by inserting after subsection (b), as so redesignated, 
        the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Grant Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out this subsection, the 
        Secretary shall make competitive grants to support new and 
        established local and regional training, education, outreach, 
        and technical assistance initiatives to increase opportunities 
        for beginning farmers or ranchers, including programs and 
        services (as appropriate) relating to--
                    ``(A) basic livestock, forest management and crop 
                farming practices;
                    ``(B) innovative farm, ranch, and private 
                nonindustrial forest land access, and transfer and 
                succession strategies and programs;
                    ``(C) entrepreneurship and business training;
                    ``(D) financial and risk management training 
                (including the acquisition and management of 
                agricultural credit);
                    ``(E) natural resource management and planning;
                    ``(F) diversification and marketing strategies;
                    ``(G) curriculum development;
                    ``(H) mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships;
                    ``(I) resources and referral;
                    ``(J) farm financial benchmarking;
                    ``(K) technical assistance to help beginning 
                farmers or ranchers in acquiring land from retiring 
                farmers and ranchers;
                    ``(L) agricultural rehabilitation and vocational 
                training for veterans;
                    ``(M) food safety (including good agricultural 
                practices training);
                    ``(N) farm safety and awareness; and
                    ``(O) other similar subject areas of use to 
                beginning farmers or ranchers.
            ``(2) Set-aside.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not less than 5 percent of the 
                funds used to carry out this subsection for a fiscal 
                year shall be used to support programs and services 
                that specifically focus on addressing the needs of--
                            ``(i) limited resource beginning farmers or 
                        ranchers (as defined by the Secretary);
                            ``(ii) socially disadvantaged farmers or 
                        ranchers (as defined in section 355(e) of the 
                        Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
                        U.S.C. 2003(e)) who are beginning farmers and 
                        ranchers; and
                            ``(iii) farmworkers desiring to become 
                        farmers or ranchers.
                    ``(B) Veteran farmers and ranchers.--Not less than 
                5 percent of the funds used to carry out this 
                subsection for a fiscal year shall be used to support 
                programs and services that specifically focus on 
                addressing the needs of veteran farmers and ranchers 
                (as defined in section 2501(e) of the Food, 
                Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
                U.S.C. 2279(e)).
            ``(3) Limitation on indirect costs.--A recipient of a grant 
        under this subsection may not use more than 15 percent of the 
        grant funds for the indirect costs of carrying out the 
        initiatives described in paragraph (1).'';
            (4) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``and conduct'' and 
                        inserting ``, conduct''; and
                            (ii) by striking the period at the end and 
                        inserting ``, or provide training and technical 
                        assistance initiatives for beginning farmers or 
                        ranchers or for trainers and service providers 
                        that work with beginning farmers or 
                        ranchers.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by inserting ``, educational programs 
                        and workshops, or training and technical 
                        assistance initiatives'' after ``curricula''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``modules'' and inserting 
                        ``content'';
                    (C) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
            ``(4) Cooperative agreement.--Notwithstanding chapter 63 of 
        title 31, the Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement 
        to reflect the terms of any cooperation under this 
        subsection.'';
            (5) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) by striking ``The Secretary shall'' and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraphs:
            ``(2) Funds.--The Secretary shall not use more than 
        $100,000 each year to support the activities under this 
        subsection.
            ``(3) Review.--The Secretary shall review the activities 
        and performance of the clearinghouse under this section every 5 
        years.
            ``(4) Cooperative agreement.--Notwithstanding chapter 63 of 
        title 31, the Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement 
        to reflect the terms of any cooperation under this 
        subsection.'';
            (6) in subsection (g)--
                    (A) by inserting ``(including retiring farmers and 
                non-farming landowners)'' before ``from participating 
                in programs''; and
                    (B) by striking ``educating'' and inserting 
                ``increasing opportunities for'';
            (7) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i), and 
        inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection:
    ``(h) Individual Development Accounts.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may transfer up to 
        $10,000,000 (plus allocable costs) per year of funds made 
        available under this section for individual development 
        accounts as authorized under section 333B of the Consolidated 
        Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1983b).
            ``(2) Administrative cost.--The Secretary may not use more 
        than 4 percent of the funds transferred under this subsection 
        for administrative costs incurred in implementing the 
        individual development accounts authorized under section 333B 
        of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
        1983b).''; and
            (8) in subsection (i), as so redesignated--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the heading, by striking ``for 
                        fiscal years 2009 through 2018'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``, 
                        to remain available until expended.'' and 
                        inserting a semicolon; and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following new 
                        subparagraphs:
                    ``(D) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
                through 2020;
                    ``(E) $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 
                through 2022; and
                    ``(F) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 and 
                each fiscal year thereafter, to remain available until 
                expended.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking 
                        ``for fiscal years 2014 through 2018''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
                        ``2023''.

SEC. 402. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

    Subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)(F)--
                    (A) in clause (vi), by striking ``and'';
                    (B) in clause (vii), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(viii) barriers and bridges to entry and 
                        farm viability for young, beginning, socially 
                        disadvantaged, veteran, and immigrant farmers 
                        and ranchers, including farm succession, 
                        transition, transfer, entry, and profitability 
                        issues.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (11)(A)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
                ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''; and
                    (B) in clause (i), by striking ``pursuant to'' and 
                inserting ``as defined in''.

SEC. 403. FARMLAND TENURE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall collect and report data and 
analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, transition, and entry of 
beginning farmers.
    (b) Requirements.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall, at a minimum--
            (1) collect and distribute comprehensive annual reporting 
        of trends in farmland ownership, tenure, transition, barriers 
        to entry, profitability and viability of beginning farmers;
            (2) develop surveys and report statistical and economic 
        analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, transition, barriers to 
        entry, profitability and viability of beginning farmers, 
        including a regular follow-on survey to each Census of 
        Agriculture; and
            (3) authorize the National Agricultural Statistics Service 
        to create and administer a follow-on survey to the Tenure, 
        Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land survey to--
                    (A) investigate the extent to which non-farming 
                landowners are purchasing and holding onto farmland for 
                the sole purpose of real estate investment; and
                    (B) the impact of these farmland ownership trends 
                on the successful entry and viability of beginning 
                farmers.
    (c) Funding.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this section $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to 
remain available until expended.

                        TITLE V--CROP INSURANCE

SEC. 501. CONSISTENT BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER DEFINITION UNDER 
              FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE ACT.

    Section 502(b)(3) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1502(b)(3)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``landlord''; and
            (2) by striking ``5 crop years'' and inserting ``10 crop 
        years''.

SEC. 502. RISK MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS.

    Section 522(d) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(d)) 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting after ``risk 
        management tools'' the second place it appears the following: 
        ``for underserved producers, including beginning farmers and 
        ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting after ``risk management 
        and marketing options'' the following: ``for underserved 
        producers, including beginning farmers and ranchers and 
        socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and'';
            (3) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (F), by inserting after 
                ``financial management'' the following: ``(including to 
                meet insurance product record keeping requirements)''; 
                and
                    (B) in subparagraph (H) by inserting after ``to 
                develop'' the following: ``value-added, 
                diversification, and''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(4) Requirements.--In carrying out the programs 
        established under paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary shall 
        place special emphasis on risk management techniques, tools, 
        and programs that are specifically intended for underserved 
        producers, including beginning farmers and ranchers and 
        socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.''.

SEC. 503. FUNDING FOR CROP INSURANCE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND 
              MAINTENANCE COSTS.

    Section 522(e) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(e)) 
is amended by striking paragraph (3).

SEC. 504. CROP INSURANCE EDUCATION AND INFORMATION FOR PRODUCERS.

    Section 524(a) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(a)) 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3)(A), by inserting after 
        ``benchmarking'' the following: ``, crop enterprise, and market 
        diversification''; and
            (2) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph 
                (D)(i);
                    (B) by striking the period at the end of 
                subparagraph (E) and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraph:
                    ``(F) farmers and ranchers that are considering 
                whole-farm based revenue products.''.

SEC. 505. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER DISASTER ASSISTANCE.

    Section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act 
of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2), by adding at the end the 
        following new subparagraph:
                    ``(D) Inclusion of beginning farmers and 
                ranchers.--The term `eligible crop' includes each 
                commercial crop or other agricultural commodity (except 
                livestock) produced by a beginning farmer or rancher, 
                even though the commercial crop or other agricultural 
                commodity fails to satisfy clause (i) or (ii) of 
                subparagraph (A), if the beginning farmer or rancher is 
                ineligible for a whole farm diversified risk management 
                insurance plan under the Federal Crop Insurance Act due 
                to lack of production or revenue history.'';
            (2) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following 
        new paragraph:
            ``(7) Special rule for beginning farmers and ranchers.--If 
        the eligible producer is a beginning farmer or rancher (as 
        defined in section 502(b)(3)), and was previously involved in a 
        farming operation, including involvement in the decision making 
        or physical involvement in the production of the crop or 
        livestock on the farm, for any acreage obtained by the 
        beginning farmer or rancher, a yield or revenue shall be used 
        that is the higher of--
                    ``(A) the actual production of the previous 
                producer of the crop on the acreage determined under 
                subparagraph (2); or
                    ``(B) the yield or revenue of the producer, as 
                determined under paragraph (3).'';
            (3) in subsection (k)(1)--
                    (A) by striking ``for an eligible crop''; and
                    (B) by striking ``for the eligible crop'';
            (4) in subsection (l)--
                    (A) by striking paragraphs (3) and (5); and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following 
                new paragraph (3):
            ``(3) Delegation.--The Secretary may delegate the authority 
        for determining the average market price (including the direct 
        market price and the organic price) for a crop to a State Farm 
        Service Agency administrator when sufficient data is available 
        to develop an average market price based on State level data 
        for the crop.''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
    ``(m) Additional Beginning Farmer Provisions.--
            ``(1) Eligibility.--Notwithstanding any other provisions of 
        this section, the following additional coverage shall be made 
        available to any beginning farmer or rancher for up to the 
        longer of the following:
                    ``(A) Four years.
                    ``(B) The requisite number of years of revenue 
                history required for the farmer or rancher to qualify 
                for revenue coverage offered under the Federal Crop 
                Insurance Act.
            ``(2) Coverage.--Additional coverage shall be available to 
        beginning farmers and ranchers under this subsection up to 75 
        percent, as elected by the farmer or rancher and specified in 
        5-percent increments.
    ``(n) Revenue Coverage.--
            ``(1) Availability.--Eligible producers may elect revenue 
        coverage under this subsection only when the total acres in 
        which they have a risk do not exceed five acres in a county. If 
        revenue coverage is elected, that election shall apply to all 
        eligible crops and commodities on a farm.
            ``(2) Payment.--The Secretary shall make available 
        noninsured assistance under this subsection at a payment amount 
        equivalent to the amount that--
                    ``(A) the expected revenue for the farm, as 
                determined by the Secretary, multiplied by the coverage 
                level elected by the producer, which is--
                            ``(i) for catastrophic level coverage, 27.5 
                        percent; or
                            ``(ii) for additional levels of coverage, 
                        the amount elected by the producer, from 50 to 
                        65 percent, or from 50 to 75 percent for a 
                        beginning farmer or rancher (as defined in 
                        section 502(b)(3)); exceeds
                    ``(B) the actual revenue for the farm, as 
                determined by the Secretary.
            ``(3) Service fee.--To be eligible to receive a payment 
        under this subsection, the producer must pay the service fee 
        required by subsection (k).
            ``(4) Premium.--To be eligible to receive a payment under 
        the additional levels of coverage in paragraph (2)(B)(ii), the 
        producer must pay a premium equal to--
                    ``(A) the lesser of--
                            ``(i) the sum of the premiums for each 
                        eligible farm, with the premium for each 
                        eligible farm obtained by multiplying--
                                    ``(I) the expected revenue for the 
                                farm, as determined by the Secretary;
                                    ``(II) the coverage level elected 
                                by the producer; and
                                    ``(III) a 5.25-percent premium fee; 
                                or
                            ``(ii) the product obtained by 
                        multiplying--
                                    ``(I) a 5.25-percent premium fee; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) the applicable payment 
                                limit.
            ``(5) Records.--If revenue coverage is elected, a producer 
        is not required to provide an acreage report under subsection 
        (b)(3), but the producer must provide a Farm Operation Report 
        and tax records for prior years, as determined by the 
        Secretary.''.

SEC. 506. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER CROP INSURANCE STUDY.

    Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to Congress a report 
identifying--
            (1) the barriers that exist to prevent or hinder the 
        ability of beginning farmers and ranchers in accessing whole 
        farm revenue insurance and other crop insurance products 
        available under the Federal Crop Insurance Act; and
            (2) the regulatory or operational changes that are 
        necessary to provide beginning farmers and ranchers with full, 
        unhindered access to these crop insurance products.

                        TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 601. SMALL AND BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER COORDINATORS.

    Section 226 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 
1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(i) State Small and Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Agency shall designate a State small 
        and beginning farmer and rancher coordinator from among the 
        State office employees of the Farm Service Agency, the Natural 
        Resources Conservation Service, the Risk Management Agency, the 
        Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities 
        Service.
            ``(2) Training.--The Agency shall coordinate the 
        development of a training plan so that each State coordinator 
        shall receive sufficient training to have a general working 
        knowledge of the programs and services available from each 
        agency of the Department to assist small and beginning farmers 
        and ranchers.
            ``(3) Duties.--The coordinator shall--
                    ``(A) coordinate technical assistance at the State 
                level to help small farms and beginning farmers and 
                ranchers gain access to programs of the Department;
                    ``(B) develop and submit a State plan for approval 
                by the Small Farms and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers 
                Group to provide coordination to ensure adequate 
                services to small and beginning farmers and ranchers at 
                all county and area offices throughout the State;
                    ``(C) oversee implementation of the approved State 
                plan;
                    ``(D) work with outreach coordinators in the State 
                offices of the Farm Service Agency, the Natural 
                Resources Conservation Service, the Risk Management 
                Agency, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the 
                Rural Utilities Service to ensure appropriate 
                information about technical assistance is available at 
                outreach events and activities; and
                    ``(E) facilitate partnerships and joint outreach 
                efforts with State organizations serving small and 
                beginning farmers through contracts and cooperative 
                agreements.''.
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