# Understanding the Future of Agricultural Resiliency and Modernization Act

This bill creates a new federal grant program to help farmers and agricultural communities adapt to climate change and modernize their operations. The Department of Agriculture would distribute up to $500 million per year (from 2022 through 2026) to various organizations and entities working on agricultural projects that make farming more sustainable and resilient.

The money can be used for a wide range of climate-focused agricultural improvements. This includes projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil health, protect water quality, and invest in renewable energy like biofuels. Farmers could use these grants to purchase cleaner equipment—like lower-emission tractors, trucks, and harvesting machines—or to install systems that capture methane from dairy operations. The bill also supports projects that help communities prepare for extreme weather like droughts, floods, and wildfires, which are becoming more common and damaging to rural areas.

Who can apply for these grants? The bill is intentionally broad, allowing federal agencies, state and local governments, Native American tribes, nonprofit organizations, irrigation districts, and private agricultural businesses to all compete for funding. This means grants could support everything from a local conservation group's water management project to a private company developing new climate-resilient farming technology. Additionally, the bill creates a separate $5 million per year program specifically focused on converting agricultural waste—like tree nut shells and other plant byproducts—into useful materials through a process called pyrolysis, which also helps reduce emissions.

Essentially, this bill recognizes that climate change is already affecting American agriculture and provides federal funding to help farmers adapt, reduce their environmental impact, and modernize their operations in ways that can also save them money long-term.

Future of Agricultural Resiliency And Modernization Act

Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-10]

Future of Agricultural Resiliency And Modernization Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to award grants to certain entities, including states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations, to carry out projects that further agricultural resiliency and modernization, such as projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions; improve air, water, and soil health; and increase carbon sequestration. Additionally, USDA must establish a program to award grants to governmental organizations and private entities in the agricultural sector to carry out at least 10 pilot projects with the potential to reduce or sequester greenhouse emissions that convert and valorize tree nut harvest by-products and waste into multiple higher value biocarbon products, including sustainable industrial applications, agrochemicals, repurposing process heat, energy, and construction materials.