Capital for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2025

This bill would require the Secretary of Agriculture to create, within 2 years of enactment, a pilot program that makes or guarantees development loans to qualified beginning farmers and ranchers. The loans could only pay for long-term investments such as starting assets, soil fertility, perennials, breeding stock, small equipment, branding, bookkeeping, payroll, and regulatory compliance. Loans would be capped at $100,000, carry interest rates between 0 and 3 percent, and have repayment terms of 3 to 10 years with annual interest payments and flexible principal repayment. Borrowers would receive training on farm management topics, and the Secretary would evaluate the program and report to Congress every two years.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Peter Welch Democrat sponsor
• 0 cosponsors