In a bipartisan, bicameral effort to provide vital assistance to farmers affected by PFAS, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Mike Lawler (R-New York) reintroduced the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act on December 4, 2025.
The legislation would authorize grants for states to provide financial assistance to affected farmers, expand monitoring and testing, remediate PFAS, or even help farmers relocate.
In Maine, there have been more than 30,000 records of PFAS at close to 250 sites across the state. Maine farmers have had their livelihoods disrupted due to PFAS contamination, which originated in sludge that was spread as fertilizer by farmers who were told by the government that it was safe to use.
“USDA must provide support to our nation’s farmers, who through no fault of their own are at risk of losing their livelihoods,” Collins said. “In the past, the federal government’s response has failed to keep pace with this growing problem. Our bipartisan legislation would direct USDA to help by providing financial assistance and expanding PFAS monitoring and testing where it is needed most.”
Specifically, the funds authorized by the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act could be used for a variety of purposes at the state level, including:
- Providing financial assistance to affected farmers
- Building capacity for PFAS testing for soil or water sources
- Monitoring blood for individuals to make informed decisions about their health
- Upgrading or purchasing equipment to ensure a farm remains profitable during or after known PFAS contamination
- Developing alternative production systems or remediation strategies
- Developing educational programs for farmers experiencing PFAS contamination
- Researching soil and water remediation systems, and the viability of those systems for farms.
The bill would also create a task force at USDA charged with identifying other USDA programs to which PFAS contamination should be added as an eligible activity. This would help bring more resources to farmers through existing programs. Additionally, the task force would provide technical assistance to states to help them coordinate their responses effectively.
Click here to read the bill.
NGWA has long been an industry leader in providing PFAS research,
education, and resources to the public and scientific communities. Click here to learn more. The Association will host, PFAS in the Age of Uncertainty Conference, March 9-10 in San Antonio, Texas.