Underserved farmers would be able to keep their farms in the family for future generations under a bipartisan bill introduced on Dec. 3 by U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA).
“With over half of U.S. farmland set to change hands in the next two decades, we need to ensure that family farms can stay in the family,” Rep. Nunn said. “This bipartisan bill would give young and beginning farmers better access to the tools, capital, and support they need to build successful operations and keep our rural communities strong.”
The congressman signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Farm Transitions Act of 2025, H.R. 6385, alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Don Davis (D-NC) to address what they say is an impending generational shift in American agriculture as many farms, now owned by individuals aged 65 and older, begin to retire.
“Strengthening rural America requires real partnerships and lasting solutions,” said Rep. Davis, who said the bill reflects “our commitment to giving rural communities the tools they need to grow, thrive, and prepare for the future.”
If enacted, H.R. 6385 would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to stand up the Commission on Farm Transitions—Needs for 2050, which was originally authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill but never formally established.
The commission would evaluate the challenges facing the next generation of producers, including land affordability, access to credit, tax and lending barriers, and the effectiveness of existing USDA programs.
It would also assess the role of mentorship, technical training, and foreign ownership in shaping the future of American agriculture — an expansion of the original commission mandate, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Nunn’s staff.
H.R. 6385 also would require the commission to issue policy recommendations to Congress within two years, with an emphasis on ensuring young and beginning farmers have access to the land, resources, and support they need to keep family farms strong for the next generation, the summary says.
The measure has been referred to the U.S. House Agriculture Committee for consideration.