John Fetterman (D-PA)
Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 7 Democratic cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act of 2026 aims to improve the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. It amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to expand the scope of urban agriculture to include controlled-environment agriculture. The bill updates various timelines to the year 2030 and establishes new technical assistance provisions. It also outlines a competitive grant system for eligible entities like nonprofits, local governments, and schools. Additionally, the legislation modifies funding and data collection requirements for agricultural research and census activities.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +5
Would people in cities be better off under this?
The bill provides support and resources specifically for the development of urban agriculture and innovative production.
- Scored +5
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill provides technical assistance for business incorporation, navigating zoning, and managing farm tract numbers for smaller growers.
- Scored +4
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill expands the scope of agricultural research to include hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Technical Assistance for Small Growers: The bill provides for the use of Department, State, Tribal, and local agency resources to help growers with business incorporation, navigating local zoning, and managing farm tract numbers for smaller, non-contiguous parcels (Section 2, subsection (a)(3)(E)).
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Environmental Conservation: It promotes conservation techniques specific to urban agriculture, including those addressing stormwater runoff and the nature of urban land and its subsurface (Section 2, subsection (a)(3)(F)).
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Regulatory Support: The bill assists urban and innovative producers in navigating various Federal, State, Tribal, and local policies and regulations (Section 2, subsection (a)(3)(G)).
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Increased Food Access: Competitive grants will prioritize projects that improve access to local foods in areas where access to fresh, healthy food is limited (Section 2, subsection (c)(1)(C)).
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Support for Farm Growth: Eligible entities receiving grants may use funds to provide subgrants to urban and innovative producers to support the growth of their farms or farm businesses (Section 2, subsection (c)(1)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill provides support and resources specifically for the development of urban agriculture and innovative production. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes improving access to fresh, healthy food in areas where access is limited.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides technical assistance for business incorporation, navigating zoning, and managing farm tract numbers for smaller growers. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill provides competitive grants and subgrants to support the growth of urban and innovative farm businesses.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill promotes conservation techniques unique to urban agriculture, including addressing stormwater runoff. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill expands the scope of agricultural production to include controlled-environment technologies useful for diverse locations.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill expands the scope of agricultural research to include hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill prioritizes projects that improve access to local foods in areas where access to fresh, healthy food is limited.
- 4/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat · Michigan