H.R. 2638 — Women in Agriculture Act

This section establishes in the Department of Agriculture, not later than 120 days after enactment, the position of Women Farmers and Ranchers Liaison to (1) provide information and application assistance to women farmers, ranchers, and potential such farmers or ranchers regarding agricultural programs; (2) advocate for such women in department interactions; (3) promote their advancement to department leadership roles; (4) submit annual reports to Congress (beginning one year after enactment) on specified data regarding grants, loans, loan guarantees, and cost-share programs awarded by the Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service to women-owned agricultural operations, including application and funding percentages by program and department staffing data by GS level and office; (5) consult with and provide technical assistance to the department's Equity Commission; and (6) consult with and assist other federal agencies on these matters. The Liaison may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with Agricultural Research Service research centers, institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965), or nonprofit organizations to conduct research on small women-run farms, develop educational materials, offer workshops or training, provide mentoring, or offer internships for such women. The Secretary may appoint department staff to support the Liaison and may terminate this authority pursuant to existing reorganization authorities.

This section authorizes competitive research and extension grants for developing and making widely available agriculture equipment and machinery ergonomically designed for use by women, adding it as a high-priority area under 7 U.S.C. 5925(d)(21). (As background, the program supports specified agricultural research and extension activities with a 1:1 non-Federal matching funds requirement, waivable for projects benefiting multiple commodities or involving minor commodities with scientifically important research.)

This section directs the Secretary, in selecting recipients of loans and grants under the rural water and waste disposal direct loan and grant program (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)), to give priority to qualified applicants proposing to use the funds to address the availability, quality, or cost of child care in an agricultural or rural community. (The program finances soil and water conservation, drainage and waste disposal facilities, and essential community facilities primarily serving farmers, ranchers, rural businesses, and other rural residents.)