DE HB297

Creates the Agricultural Opportunities Act to support socially disadvantaged farmers, beginning farmers, and military veteran farmers in Delaware through the Department of Agriculture.

Establishes an agricultural training program providing at least 30 academic credit hours of instruction on farming practices, business management, land transfer strategies, and financial management in collaboration with Delaware State University and University of Delaware.

Creates an agricultural land lease program giving priority to socially disadvantaged farmers, military veteran farmers, and beginning farmers to lease state-owned agricultural land at fair market value, with revenues deposited in a special Agricultural Land Lease Program Fund.

Requires state agencies to notify the Department when state-owned agricultural land is leased for agricultural purposes and to prioritize leases to the three target farmer categories over other applicants.

Mandates the Department to develop a farmer incubator program providing training and land access to military veteran farmers and beginning farmers, with the Department submitting annual reports to legislative and executive leadership on program data and recommendations.