This blog is part of our “Farm Bill Bulletin” series, which provides intermittent updates on the development and status of our nation’s next farm bill.
On Friday, Congress passed a continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown. The legislation also included a second extension of the farm bill, in addition to financial aid for producers impacted by natural disasters and economic hardship over the past year.
The bill, which was the final of three versions presented to Congress throughout the week, passed after tough negotiations among lawmakers.
In addition to funding the federal government through March 14, 2025, the bill will extend the 2018 farm bill through Sept. 30 of next year. Without the extension, commodity programs would have reverted to antiquated “permanent laws” established in the 1930s and 1940s—commonly referred to as the “cliff effect”—on Jan. 1.
The financial aid passed through the legislation will provide $21 billion in disaster relief for agricultural producers impacted by recent hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters. An additional $10 billion of aid was passed to support commodity producers who faced losses due to low prices and high input costs in 2024.
In many ways, the new extension will function the same as the version passed last year; however, it does not include funding for “orphan programs” that require specific authorization provisions to continue in 2025. One such program is the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program. Fortunately, the Local Agriculture Market Program and Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Program now receive mandatory funding, and their legal authority to operate has been reinstated by the extension.
To the disappointment of many in the sustainable agricultural community, the bill did not move $14 billion of unspent Inflation Reduction Act funds for working lands conservation into the farm bill baseline—an action that would have increased funding for programs, including the Conservation Stewardship Program and Environmental Quality Incentives Program, for generations to come. There is still an opportunity for Congress to make this investment in the next farm bill; however, the amount of money available to invest decreases over time.
Looking ahead to 2025, lawmakers will have another year to pass a new farm bill, albeit under a new Congress and administration. Stay tuned to our Farm Bill Bulletin for information and opportunities to engage with your members of Congress.
