H.R. 7562 — Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026

This section establishes within USDA's Farm Production and Conservation mission area the Office of Small Farms, to be headed by a Director, to coordinate agency efforts supporting small farms, ranches, and forest operations (defined generally as those under 180 acres, or a state- or production system-adjusted acreage threshold as determined by the Secretary, with annual gross cash farm income under $350,000). The Director must (1) review USDA programs, policies, and guidance to identify and recommend changes addressing barriers to small operation participation; (2) develop recommendations for new initiatives, including financing and technical assistance; (3) propose research agendas and data tracking; (4) provide or coordinate technical assistance for program access, implementation, and farmland preservation; (5) offer grants of up to $25,000 directly or via agreements for equipment upgrades, uninsured losses, business planning, conservation, land down payments, or other purposes; (6) operate an anonymous hotline for program access issues; (7) collaborate with other federal and state agencies; and (8) approve state coordinator plans. The section further requires specified USDA officials (e.g., Farm Service Agency Administrator, Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief) to appoint liaisons for outreach and coordination and directs the Director to designate a State small farms coordinator in each state from state office employees (who may also serve as the state beginning farmer and rancher coordinator).