Despite BBB Passage, AFBF Says Work Still Needs to be Done

While Congress’ One Big Beautiful Bill budget package included approximately $66 billion in investment in key farm programs, there’s still work to be done. Brian Glenn, director of government affairs with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said a key focus was on improving risk management programs…

“About $60 billion of that investment was put towards modernizing farm safety net programs. These modernizations include extending key commodity support programs through the 2031 crop year. The bill also raises statutory reference prices for major covered commodities. It expanded premium support for beginning farmers and ranchers.”

Despite those wins, Glenn said there are still several critical farm programs that need updating through a new farm bill.

“Some of those programs include reauthorization and funding for the Conservation Reserve Program. Also support for rural broadband programs in the rural development title, and support for additional research and extension programs.”

According to Glenn, Chairman GT Thompson of the House Agriculture Committee is drafting a farm bill that addresses those remaining farm bill programs. He says t hey are doing this as we speak and that the House and Senate Agriculture committees are currently conducting hearings on important policy priorities, and they're looking to move the bill this fall.