Senate Agriculture Committee approves Farm Bill with new funding for community colleges
This week, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry approved its proposal for a 2026 reauthorization of the Farm Bill – the Agricultural Act of 2026 – on a party-line vote. The bill is expected to be voted on when the Senate returns from recess in November.
In response to dedicated advocacy from community colleges, the approved bill contains a $20 million authorization for a new grant program for community college agriculture and renewable resources programs. The provision is closely modeled on the bipartisan opens in a new windowCommunity College Agriculture Advancement Act, legislation that has been long endorsed by AACC.
While there are still larger obstacles that may stand in the way of a Farm Bill reauthorization becoming law, the Senate bill continues the growing momentum for federal support for community college agriculture programs. In April, the House of Representatives passed its reauthorization bill, the opens in a new windowFood, Farm and National Security Actopens PDF file , which included an authorization for a similar community college grant program. AACC remains hopeful that this critical support will be included whenever a Farm Bill reauthorization is enacted, thanks to years of advocacy from our member colleges.
ED approves more Workforce Pell programs
The Department of Education (ED) on Monday announced that it has approved three new Workforce Pell programs, bringing the total number of approved programs to five.
As covered in the opens in a new windowCommunity College Daily, students at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska can now use workforce Pell Grants for a phlebotomy technician program, pharmacy technician program, and a CompTia Tech+ with Google IT Support program.
The new programs are in addition to two programs that were approved earlier this summer – a clinical medical assistant program at Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana and an emergency medical technician program at Iowa Central Community College.
ICYMI: AACC urges member comments on accreditation regulations
Community college leaders have until September 21 to weigh in on the Department of Education’s proposed accreditation regulations. AACC is encouraging members to submit comments and reinforce several key priorities for the sector.
AACC supports the proposal’s transfer-of-credit provisions, which would require institutions to explain why credits are not accepted, helping ensure greater transparency and fairness for students.
At the same time, AACC will urge ED to better refine proposed cost-benefit analysis requirements so they rely on realistic measures and recognize that many student-focused activities cannot be reduced to economic calculations. Colleges already closely monitor expenditures and remain committed to fiscal responsibility.
AACC also opposes provisions requiring accreditors to enforce intellectual diversity and First Amendment protections. Community colleges already uphold First Amendment requirements, and involving accreditors in these areas could add unnecessary complexity while moving accreditation away from its core focus on quality assurance.
More broadly, AACC is concerned that the proposal would use accreditation to expand federal involvement in institutional practices and assign accreditors responsibilities that may fall outside their expertise or duplicate the work of other entities.
If you are interested in weighing in on the accreditation regulations or would like more information on these issues, please reach out to us at opens in a new windowogr@aacc.nche.educreate new email.