H.R. 5138 — ASPIRE Act

This section authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, to award grants under section 2501(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(d))—which supports outreach, training, and technical assistance for underserved farmers, ranchers, and producers—to eligible institutions for developing and carrying out agriculture workforce training programs in collaboration with targeted industry partners (i.e., agriculture industry members such as companies or associations, registered apprenticeship programs under the National Apprenticeship Act (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.), or nonprofits aiding agriculture employment). Agriculture workforce training programs provide students with training through internships, apprenticeships, experience-based curricula, and workshops promoting technical skills to promote agriculture industry growth, foster competitiveness, and improve worker training and retention. Eligible institutions include 1862 Institutions, 1890 Institutions, and 1994 Institutions (as defined in specified statutes); non-land-grant colleges of agriculture and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities (as defined in 7 U.S.C. 3103); centers of excellence recognized under 7 U.S.C. 1673; junior or community colleges (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1058) offering agriculture programs; and area career and technical education schools (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 2302) offering agriculture programs. Grant recipients must use at least 5% of funds for preliminary student recruitment and faculty professional development to prepare students for agriculture employment. The Secretary must implement the program by January 31, 2026.