Support USDA Offices and Agricultural Act of 2026
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**California Farm Bureau joined over 100 agricultural groups urging Congress to provide additional funding and staffing support for local USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service offices.
The coalition highlighted growing concerns that staffing reductions, retirements and workforce attrition have led to delays and service disruptions across the country.
The offices play a critical role in administering farm programs, conservation assistance, disaster relief and technical support for farmers.
**Calling it the “Agricultural Act of 2026,” Senate Ag Chair John Boozman released his farm bill discussion text last week, saying it’s “built for farmers, ranchers, and producers.”
It improves existing commodity, dairy, standing disaster, and crop insurance programs, while expanding opportunities tailored to the unique needs of specialty crop producers.
The legislation also streamlines and strengthens conservation programs and bolsters Buy American requirements across nutrition programs.
**The National Pork Producers Council is urging Senate Ag leaders to address the growing patchwork of state livestock production laws, primarily California’s Proposition 12.
However, a draft released by Senate Ag Chair John Boozman did NOT include language addressing Prop 12.
NPPC President, Rob Brenneman says "America's pork producers will continue to advocate for a Prop. 12 fix like our livelihood depends on it, because it does."
