April 22, 2026
Mr. Landsman (for himself and Ms. McClellan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to connect individuals seeking to transition away from farming with individuals seeking to become farmers, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Family Farm Transition Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Farm land link program
(a) Establishment
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture (in this section referred to as the Secretary
) shall establish a program to connect individuals seeking to transition away from farming with individuals seeking to become farmers.
(b) Duties
The Secretary shall carry out the program under subsection (a) by—
(1)
establishing and maintaining a database of—
(A)
individuals seeking to transition away from farming; and
(B)
individuals seeking to become farmers;
(2)
facilitating the transfer of farm businesses and properties from individuals seeking to transition away from farming to individuals seeking to become farmers; and
(3)
publishing guidance on the transfer of farm businesses and properties.
(c) Commission on Farm Transitions study results
In carrying out the duties under subsection (b), the Secretary shall consider the results of the study under section 12609(b) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.
(d) Termination of program
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the program under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Extension of program
Not later than 180 days before any date on which the program under subsection (a) is scheduled to terminate, the Secretary may extend such program for an additional period of 5 years.
(e) Reports
(1) Biennial reports
Not later than 30 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the date on which the program terminates under subsection (d), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing any steps taken to implement the program under subsection (a) and any results achieved by such program during the 1-year period ending on the date that is 180 days prior to the submission of such report.
(2) Final report
Not later than 180 days after the date on which the program terminates under subsection (d), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing any steps taken to implement the program under subsection (a) and any results achieved by such program during the period beginning on the date of the last report under paragraph (1) and ending on the date on which the program terminates under subsection (d).