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H.R. 5450

To increase the access of small farmers in Puerto Rico to Federal agriculture programs, and for other purposes.

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Advocacy and Outreach to increase the access of small farmers who grow specialty crops in Puerto Rico to loans under several USDA programs. (Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture.) The programs covered by the bill include microloan programs, programs for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, programs for beginning farmers, and the emergency loan program.

The USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach must also carry out a training program to teach best farming practices to small farmers in Puerto Rico.

The Department of the Interior must develop a program to allow small farmers to farm on federal land in Puerto Rico if: (1) the land is not environmentally sensitive, (2) farming on the land will not harm endangered native species or natural habitats, and (3) the land is suitable for farming.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.

Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9](D-FL)Sponsor
2committees7actions5subjects
  1. Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.

    Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee
  2. Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs.

    Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee
  3. Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

    Federal Lands Subcommittee
  4. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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.

    Natural Resources Committee
  5. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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.

    Agriculture Committee
  6. IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  7. IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

To increase the access of small farmers in Puerto Rico to Federal agriculture programs, an… — Informed