Agricultural groups weigh in on Farm Bill 2.0

On Feb. 13, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., released the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, the preliminary text for a new farm bill — the first full reauthorization since 2018.

Thompson called the legislation “long overdue.”

“This bill provides modern policies for modern challenges and is shaped by years of listening to the needs of farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans,” Thompson said. “The farm bill affects our entire country, regardless of whether you live on a farm, and I look forward to seeing my colleagues in Congress work together to get this critical legislation across the finish line.”

The proposal would provide a five-year reauthorization of commodity, conservation, credit, rural development and crop insurance programs. Lawmakers have referred to the measure as “Farm Bill 2.0,” noting that it revisits several issues not fully addressed in last year’s reconciliation package, The One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The House Agriculture Committee was scheduled to begin markup Feb. 23 but due to weather impacts, they will now push the markup to the week of March 1.

The draft legislation includes a wide range of policy changes and program updates, including a fix to Proposition 12, enhancements to conservation programs, increased funding for Title I commodity subsidies and crop insurance, and takes steps toward regulatory reforms for pesticides.

Agricultural organizations had mixed responses to the proposal, highlighting areas of support while noting issues they hope lawmakers continue to address as the bill advances.

The National Pork Producers Council thanks Chairman Thompson for including a fix to Proposition 12 in the new legislation.

“America’s pork producers thank Chairman Thompson for continuing to take bold steps once again to protect our livelihoods from an unsustainable patchwork of state laws,” said National Pork Producers Council President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio. “We implore the full House Agriculture Committee to stand up for the American farmer, preserve states’ rights, and help keep pork affordable for the American consumers.”

Scott Metzger, president of the American Soybean Association and an Ohio soybean farmer, said the bill addresses key concerns raised by producers.

“We appreciate that Chairman Thompson heard the concerns and needs of soybean farmers and addressed them in the bill,” Metzger said. “The provisions included will provide much-needed market and regulatory certainty for producers facing new risks and difficult business decisions.”

He added that strengthening the farm bill remains critical to stabilizing the farm economy.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Gene Copenhaver said the bill includes important provisions for cattle producers, including conservation streamlining, rural veterinary support and a pilot program exploring options for direct-to-consumer beef sales.

“Chairman Thompson’s bill includes important provisions to streamline voluntary conservation programs, protect grazing as a land management tool, address the critical shortage of rural veterinarians, and establish an important pilot program to safely explore better options for direct-to-consumer sales of locally raised beef,” Copenhaver said.

NCBA officials urged swift passage to address remaining legislative gaps affecting animal agriculture.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said farmers are reviewing the proposal but welcomed updates to credit, conservation, research and rural development programs.

“The legislation is needed more than ever as America’s farmers and ranchers struggle through the worst economic storm in generations,” Duvall said.

Farm Bureau encouraged bipartisan cooperation to move the bill forward.

National Farmers Union President Rob Larew said the bill contains some positive steps, including support for local food procurement and credit improvements, but expressed concern that it does not go far enough in addressing broader economic pressures.

“Family farmers and ranchers are facing a significant economic crisis, and the next farm bill should reflect that reality,” Larew said.

NFU said it will continue engaging in the legislative process as the measure moves through committee consideration.