Farm Bill Updates: December Newsletter

We want to share an important update about the Food and Farm Bill, the major federal law that shapes farm programs, conservation support, crop insurance, rural development, and nutrition programs. You may have read that Congress recently extended the current Farm Bill through September 30th, 2026. This means the programs farmers rely on will continue operating under the same rules through the end of September while lawmakers continue to work towards a five-year Farm Bill Renewal.

The main components of the 2018 Farm Bill remain: commodity support, conservation, crop insurance, disaster assistance, nutrition, rural development, research, and more.

Of note, safety net programs remain active. The Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) remain authorized and available for covered commodities. Reference prices were increased in the broader 2025 reconciliation bill and will be maintained at that level. For example, the reference price for corn was raised from $3.70 to $4.10 per bushel.

Programs that were covered in the extension:

• Crop Insurance
• Disaster Assistance
• Commodity and Price-Loss Programs
• Conservation Programs (EQIP, CRP, CSP)
• Beginning Farmer Support
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Programs that remain undecided:

• Future funding for conservation programs
• Disaster Program Funding Improvements
• Drought funding
• Adjustments to crop insurance for specialty crops, forage and rangeland

What is next?

Over the next fiscal year, Congress will be tasked with passing a fully reauthorized Farm Bill. The details of that bill matter especially for conservation efforts, water issues, grazing issues, rural communities, and family farmers. We will continue to monitor how potential changes might impact farmers across RMFU’s service area. Please reach out to Emily with any direct questions (em********@**fu.org).