Sample Legislation

Proposed Legislative Frameworks for Discussion and Adaptation

The Farm Security Initiative is committed to turning ideas into action. To spark discussion and provide a starting point for policymakers, we’ve drafted sample legislation that addresses five core challenges facing America’s farms: land security, access to capital, cooperative development, conservation incentives, and farm labor.

These bills are not prescriptions — they are frameworks, written to show what practical, bipartisan solutions might look like. Each can be adapted at the state or federal level and modified to fit local circumstances.

As the Initiative moves forward, we will update this page with actual bills as they are introduced and debated. For now, these drafts represent our best effort to offer constructive, actionable policy proposals that keep land in family hands, strengthen rural communities, and safeguard America’s agricultural future.

Sample Bills for Discussion

  1. The Farm Labor Access Act

  2. The Land Security Act

  3. The Farmer Cooperative Development Act

  4. The Conservation Incentives Act

  5. The Community Farm Capital Act

The Farm Labor Access Act

The Farm Labor Access Act addresses the shortage of farm labor by creating secure, legal pathways for immigrant and seasonal workers. It ensures that farmers can access the workforce they need while protecting labor rights, strengthening both agricultural production and community stability.

(Draft Bill for Discussion — Farm Security Initiative)

Section 1. Short Title

This Act may be cited as the “Farm Labor Access Act.”

Section 2. Findings

Congress finds that—

  1. Family farms rely on timely, skilled, and affordable labor to sustain operations.

  2. The exiling or restriction of immigrant and seasonal farm labor creates shortages that threaten planting, harvesting, and profitability.

  3. Without labor access, family-owned farms face heightened risk of failure and consolidation.

  4. Supporting lawful pathways for farm labor strengthens rural economies, stabilizes food supply chains, and protects national food security.

Section 3. Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to ensure that family farms have reliable access to lawful labor, reducing vulnerability to shortages and maintaining continuity of farm operations.

Section 4. Definitions

  • “Eligible Farm” means a family-owned and actively operated farm or ranch.

  • “Farm Labor Access Program” means a program that connects family farms with authorized seasonal, migrant, or immigrant workers through lawful channels.

  • “Authorized Worker” means an individual legally permitted to work in the United States under federal immigration or labor law.

Section 5. Proposal for Farm Labor Access Programs

(a) It is proposed that states may establish Farm Labor Access Programs with federal support.

(b) Such programs could include—

  1. Seasonal Worker Partnerships — facilitating connections between family farms and lawful seasonal or migrant workers.

  2. Stabilization Grants — providing resources to farms facing critical labor shortages.

  3. Workforce Training — supporting language, safety, and technical skills for authorized farm workers.

  4. Community Support Networks — linking workers with housing, healthcare, and transportation services in partnership with local organizations.

Section 6. Funding

It is proposed that federal appropriations be authorized to support Farm Labor Access Programs, with funds allocated to states on the basis of agricultural production and demonstrated labor needs.

Section 7. Reporting

Participating states would provide annual reports on labor access, worker participation, and impacts on farm continuity and ownership retention.

The Land Security Act

The Land Security Act establishes state-level programs, with federal matching funds, to help family farmers weather financial stress without losing ownership of their land. Through stabilization loans, ownership-protection agreements, and partnerships with local institutions, this act ensures that land stays in family hands and rural communities remain strong.

(Draft Bill for Discussion — Farm Security Initiative)

Section 1. Short Title

This Act may be cited as the “Land Security Act.”

Section 2. Findings

Congress finds that—

  1. Family farms are the backbone of America’s food supply, rural economies, and national sovereignty.

  2. Farm consolidation and speculative investment threaten to displace families and concentrate ownership.

  3. Farmers often face short-term financial stress due to tariffs, input costs, weather disasters, and volatile markets.

  4. Protecting ownership through difficult years preserves independence, keeps land in family hands, and strengthens rural communities.

Section 3. Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to establish a framework for protecting family farm ownership during times of financial stress, preventing forced sales and long-term displacement.

Section 4. Definitions

  • “Eligible Farm” means a farm or ranch that is family-owned and actively operated.

  • “Land-Security Program” means a program designed to provide ownership protection through refinancing, stabilization loans, or ownership-protection agreements.

Section 5. Proposal for Land-Security Programs

(a) It is proposed that states may establish Land-Security Programs with federal matching funds.

(b) Such programs could include—

  1. Stabilization Loans — low-interest refinancing to restructure debt.

  2. Ownership-Protection Agreements — temporary arrangements that allow families to remain on their land while recovering financially.

  3. Community Capital Partnerships — enabling local co-ops, credit unions, and nonprofits to co-finance farm operations alongside state support.

Section 6. Funding

It is proposed that federal appropriations be authorized to support these programs, with federal funds matched at not less than 1:1 by participating states.

Section 7. Reporting

Participating states would provide annual reports on participation, acres protected, and ownership retention outcomes.

The Farmer Cooperative Development Act

The Farmer Cooperative Development Act strengthens cooperative models that allow farmers to share equipment, processing facilities, and market access. It provides technical assistance and seed funding for co-ops, ensuring that family farmers can compete in modern markets without losing independence.

(Draft Bill for Discussion — Farm Security Initiative)

Section 1. Short Title

This Act may be cited as the “Farmer Cooperative Development Act.”

Section 2. Findings

Congress finds that—

  1. Family farmers face declining bargaining power in highly consolidated markets.

  2. Cooperatives provide proven structures for shared ownership, fair bargaining, and rural wealth retention.

  3. Access to capital, infrastructure, and technical expertise is a barrier to forming and sustaining cooperatives.

  4. Supporting cooperatives strengthens local economies, stabilizes farm incomes, and sustains rural communities.

Section 3. Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to support the creation and expansion of farmer-owned cooperatives that improve market access, bargaining power, and profitability for family farmers.

Section 4. Definitions

  • “Farmer Cooperative” means a farmer-owned and governed organization established to provide shared services in production, processing, distribution, or marketing.

  • “Eligible Farmer” means a farmer or rancher actively engaged in agricultural production.

Section 5. Cooperative Development Fund

(a) The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a Cooperative Development Fund to provide grants and low-interest loans to support the creation and expansion of farmer cooperatives.

(b) Such support could include—

  1. Shared infrastructure investments including processing, storage, and distribution facilities.

  2. Legal, technical, and organizational assistance in cooperative formation.

  3. Training and mentorship programs for cooperative management and governance.

Section 6. State Matching Programs

States may establish Cooperative Development Programs with federal matching funds of up to 50 percent. States shall designate an agency or land-grant university to administer programs and provide technical support.

Section 7. Tax Incentives

Farmers who join cooperatives recognized under this Act shall be eligible for federal tax credits not to exceed 10 percent of their cooperative investment annually. Cooperative net margins reinvested in infrastructure or returned to members shall be exempt from double taxation.

Section 8. Local Ownership Guarantee

All cooperatives receiving federal or state funds under this Act must maintain majority farmer ownership and governance. Non-farmer investment shall not exceed 25 percent of voting rights.

Section 9. Reporting

The Secretary of Agriculture shall provide an annual report to Congress detailing cooperative projects funded, geographic distribution, and farmer participation outcomes.

Conservation Incentives Act

The Farm Labor Access Act addresses the shortage of farm labor by creating secure, legal pathways for immigrant and seasonal workers. It ensures that farmers can access the workforce they need while protecting labor rights, strengthening both agricultural production and community stability.

(Draft Bill for Discussion — Farm Security Initiative)

Section 1. Short Title

This Act may be cited as the “Conservation Incentives Act.”

Section 2. Findings

Congress finds that—

  1. Family farmers are essential stewards of America’s soil, water, and ecosystems.

  2. Market pressures often force farmers to prioritize short-term survival over long-term conservation.

  3. Conservation practices such as cover cropping, rotational grazing, reduced tillage, and riparian buffers build soil health, reduce erosion, and improve water quality.

  4. Incentivizing conservation strengthens both farm resilience and national food security.

Section 3. Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to establish programs and incentives that encourage family farmers to adopt and sustain conservation practices, ensuring long-term productivity and ecological resilience.

Section 4. Definitions

  • “Eligible Farmer” means a farmer or rancher operating an eligible farm as defined by USDA.

  • “Conservation Practice” means an agricultural practice that improves soil, water, or ecological health, as recognized by USDA NRCS.

  • “Conservation Partnership” means collaboration among farmers, cooperatives, states, and nonprofits to implement conservation practices at scale.

Section 5. Program Provisions

(a) It is proposed that USDA administer a Conservation Incentives Program (CIP) to provide financial and technical assistance to eligible farmers.

(b) The program shall include—

  1. Direct Incentive Payments — cost-sharing for conservation practices, with higher incentives for multi-year adoption.

  2. Technical Assistance — access to agronomists, conservation specialists, and USDA NRCS expertise.

  3. Community Conservation Grants — support for local and regional partnerships implementing conservation practices across multiple farms.

  4. Performance-Based Rewards — additional payments for measurable improvements in soil health, water retention, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.

Section 6. Funding

It is proposed that federal appropriations be authorized to support this program, with flexibility for states to supplement funding through existing agricultural and environmental programs.

Section 7. Reporting

The Secretary of Agriculture shall submit an annual report to Congress detailing program participation, acres under conservation, ecological benefits achieved, and recommendations for expansion.

The Community Farm Capital Act

 The Community Farm Capital Act empowers local communities to invest directly in family farms. By creating state-facilitated capital pools, it enables neighbors, credit unions, and local organizations to support farmers during challenging times, keeping ownership rooted locally and building resilience.

(Draft Bill for Discussion — Farm Security Initiative)

Section 1. Short Title

This Act may be cited as the “Community Farm Capital Act.”

Section 2. Findings

Congress finds that—

  1. Family farmers often lack access to flexible, affordable capital needed to withstand volatile markets and rising input costs.

  2. Local communities benefit when farmland remains in family hands and under local stewardship.

  3. Community-based capital pools can provide an alternative to speculative investment and predatory lending.

  4. Public investment alongside community contributions strengthens resilience and ensures accountability.

Section 3. Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to create mechanisms for communities to invest directly in family farms, providing flexible financing that strengthens local resilience while keeping ownership local.

Section 4. Definitions

  • “Community Farm Investment Fund” means a pool of local and public capital designed to support family farmers through loans or equity partnerships.

  • “Eligible Farm” means a farm or ranch that is family-owned and actively operated.

Section 5. Establishment of Community Farm Investment Funds

(a) States may establish Community Farm Investment Funds with federal matching funds on a 1:1 basis.

(b) Such funds could include—

  1. Low-interest loans to family farmers for operating expenses or infrastructure investment.

  2. Shared equity partnerships allowing farmers to buy back equity over time.

  3. Co-financing arrangements with local cooperatives, credit unions, or nonprofit organizations.

Section 6. Governance and Oversight

Funds must be governed by boards with majority farmer representation, transparent governance, and regular public reporting.

Section 7. Funding

Federal appropriations are authorized to match state-level contributions to Community Farm Investment Funds at no less than 1:1.

Section 7. Reporting

Participating states shall provide annual reports on fund performance, farms assisted, and ownership retention outcomes.