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While Congress has already addressed much of the Farm Bill when it approved the One Big Beautiful Bill in early July, attention has turned to finalizing the remaining provisions.
House Agriculture Committee Chair GT Thompson (R-Pa.) has said he hopes to release the remaining legislative text in September in a “skinny Farm Bill.” However, some lawmakers and experts believe an agreement may not be reached until 2026. This is largely due to the limited time lawmakers have available in the fall, with government funding debates set to take center stage.
The remaining “skinny Farm Bill” would address several key issues, including:
- Reauthorizing the Conservation Reserve Program
- Setting limits for USDA direct and guaranteed loans
- Providing rural broadband assistance
- Addressing regulations on industrial hemp and pesticide lawsuits
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance is hopeful that the legislation would provide enhanced crop insurance options specifically for specialty crops. Additionally, there is an intent to provide direct resources for specialty crop mechanization research that is unlikely to be conducted by the private sector, among other priorities.