Farm Bill 2026 Draft Draws Praise and Pushback From Ag Groups
- Media Logic Radio
- 6 days ago
- 8 min read
By Mariah Squire | Published on February 17, 2026
The House Agriculture Committee released draft farm bill text late last week, and many agricultural industry groups have welcomed and applauded the language — but not all.
The text of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 was revealed on Friday, Feb. 13. Ag Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson said in an op ed days before the draft’s release that a new farm bill, rather than an extension of the existing 2018 version, is necessary because “2018 policies are no match for 2026,”
After the draft text was made public, Thompson said in a statement that a new farm bill is long overdue to provide certainty to producers and rural communities.
“This bill provides modern policies for modern challenges and is shaped by years of listening to the needs of farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans,” Thompson said in the statement. “The farm bill affects our entire country, regardless of whether you live on a farm, and I look forward to seeing my colleagues in Congress work together to get this critical legislation across the finish line.”
Here’s a look at how a wide range of agricultural industry groups responded to the draft text.
American Farm Bureau Federation
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is the nation’s largest farmer-run organization and serves farmers in all 50 states.
“Farmers appreciate Chairman G.T. Thompson and the House Agriculture Committee for their work in drafting a new, modernized farm bill,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said in a news release Friday. “The legislation is needed more than ever as America’s farmers and ranchers struggle through the worst economic storm in generations.
“We’re still reviewing the text of the bill, but it includes important updates to credit, conservation, research, and rural development programs, and calls for expansion of specialty crop programs. The bill also preserves interstate commerce to enable farmers to remain competitive in the evolving marketplace.
“We urge the House Agriculture Committee to work in a bipartisan manner to find consensus and move the bill forward. Additionally, in light of the ongoing economic conditions plaguing rural America, Farm Bureau will continue to work with congressional leaders on our top priorities, including additional funding for bridge assistance payments, year-round E15, and a solution to our agricultural labor crisis.”
American Soybean Association
The American Soybean Association (ASA) represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international policy issues. ASA has 26 affiliate state associations representing 30 soybean-producing states and nearly 500,000 soybean farmers.
“We appreciate that Chairman Thompson heard the concerns and needs of soybean farmers and addressed them in the bill,” said Scott Metzger, ASA president and a soybean farmer from Ohio, in a news release Friday.
“The provisions included will provide much-needed market and regulatory certainty for producers facing new risks and difficult business decisions.”
“Strengthening the farm bill is critical for the future of U.S. soybeans, and ASA stands ready to work with lawmakers to advance this legislation and help stabilize today’s challenging farm economy,” according to the statement.
Farm Credit
Fulfilling its mission of helping rural America grow and thrive for more than a century, Farm Credit supports rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services, today and tomorrow.
Farm Credit applauded Chairman Thompson and the House Agriculture Committee for their work in a statement Friday. “While H.R. 1 addressed certain agricultural needs, many policies were not addressed and remain stuck in 2018. It is critical that policies — especially those impacting credit availability — are updated to provide certainty and growth opportunities for farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
“The draft released today incorporates vital bipartisan marker bills that are important to Farm Credit and the producers we serve. Most notably, this draft legislation includes policies to modernize Farm Service Agency loan limits and programs, expand access to credit for young and beginning producers, and strengthen rural communities by offering additional financing options for essential community facilities like hospitals and community care centers.
“With the U.S. farm economy and rural communities facing ongoing challenges, we cannot and should not wait to finish the farm bill. We urge the House Agriculture Committee to advance the farm bill 2.0 process to ensure these forward-looking policies are enacted in 2026. Farm Credit supports Chairman Thompson’s draft and looks forward to working with members on both sides of the aisle to secure passage.”
International Dairy Foods Association
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing
industry and advocates on their behalf to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to innovate and thrive.
“Chairman Thompson’s draft farm bill builds on the strong momentum behind dairy nutrition incentives and reflects a clear commitment to making America healthy again,” IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes said in a statement. “By expanding SNAP dairy incentives to include additional nutritious dairy products and providing certainty to core federal dairy programs, this legislation ensures low-income families have greater access to affordable, wholesome dairy foods while giving farmers and processors the certainty they need to continue delivering for America.
“This Congress and the administration have an opportunity in the next farm bill to better leverage SNAP to expand access to nutritious dairy products and improve health outcomes for Americans,” Dykes said. “IDFA encourages Congress to include yogurt and other cultured dairy products in the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Projects (DNIP) program alongside milk and cheese. Strengthening dairy incentives through DNIP will help families put wholesome, affordable foods on the table while advancing the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ agenda. SNAP purchases of more varieties of dairy also means greater support for America’s dairy farmers.”
“This draft farm bill further positions dairy at the heart of America’s nutrition strategy,” Dykes added. “When we invest in programs that expand access to milk, cheese, yogurt, and other nutritious dairy products, we invest in healthier families and a stronger nation. IDFA appreciates Chairman Thompson’s leadership and looks forward to working with lawmakers and the administration to move this bill forward.”
Modern Ag Alliance
The Modern Ag Alliance is a diverse coalition of more than 110 agricultural organizations advocating for U.S. farmers’ access to the crop protection tools they need to ensure we have a robust and affordable domestic food supply.
“Farmers are continually asked to do more with less,” said Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, executive director of the Modern Ag Alliance, in a news release Friday. “A strong farm bill provides the certainty they need to plan ahead, manage risk, and bring a robust, safe supply of food, fuel, and fibers to market for consumers. Clear, science-based labeling standards are an important part of that equation.”
“On behalf of our more than 110 farm organizations from coast to coast, the Modern Ag Alliance applauds Chairman Thompson for his leadership and for keeping farmers’ priorities front and center as this farm bill moves forward,” Burns-Thompson added. “As lawmakers work together during markup, it’s essential they continue building on this momentum by advancing policies that provide the policy clarity that farmers deserve.”
National Cotton Council
As the central organization for the U.S. cotton industry, the mission of the National Cotton Council (NCC) is to ensure the ability of all seven industry segments to compete effectively and profitably in the raw cotton, oilseeds, and U.S.-manufactured products market at home and abroad.
“Thanks to Chairman Thompson’s tireless work, we were fortunate to see much of the farm bill signed into law as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act” said NCC Chairman Nathan Reed in a press statement, “but now is the time to finish the job. Passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act would significantly benefit the cotton industry by safeguarding the marketing loan program during future shutdowns, advancing the effort to create a harvest incentive insurance option, and providing a commonsense regulatory framework for crop protection products.”
National Family Farm Coalition
The National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC) has 30 member groups that span more than 40 states and represent family farmers, ranchers, and fishermen across the U.S.
In a statement Friday, NFFC said it is “deeply disappointed” with the draft farm bill.
“Instead of addressing the widespread concerns of family-scale farmers — ensuring fair prices for farmers, improving credit access, addressing corporate land consolidation, and creating a trade environment that benefits producers — this draft perpetuates the status quo that enriches and empowers corporate agribusiness. The result is an accelerating farm crisis that continues to hollow out rural communities across the U.S.
“Almost three years have passed without a new farm bill. Further delay comes at a steep price, raising the stakes for independent farmers who are contending with a system rigged against them. Our elected representatives should be passing laws that help farmers survive the increasing pressures of economic uncertainty and manufactured crisis. NFFC remains committed to our advocacy for policy reform as outlined in our farm bill platform, and is eager to work with bipartisan Congressional leadership to enact these important changes.”
National Milk Producers Federation
National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies.
“NMPF thanks Chairman Thompson, House Agriculture Committee members, and their staffs for working to put together a farm bill that will bring greater certainty to producers at a difficult time,” NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said in a statement Friday. “Dairy farmers look forward to working with House members and senators as this legislation makes its way through Congress, and we pledge our support in crafting the best legislation possible.”
National Pork Producers Council
National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is the global voice for the U.S. pork industry, protecting the livelihoods of America’s 60,000+ pork producers who abide by ethical principles in caring for their animals, protecting the environment and public health, and providing safe, wholesome, nutritious pork products to consumers worldwide.
“America’s pork producers thank Chairman Thompson for continuing to take bold steps once again to protect our livelihoods from an unsustainable patchwork of state laws,” NPPC President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio, said in a statement on Friday. “We implore the full House Agriculture Committee to stand up for the American farmer, preserve states’ rights, and help keep pork affordable for the American consumers.”
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal
policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities.
“More than seven years since the last farm bill, and in a moment of need for farmers, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act lacks the robust investments and reforms necessary to propel American agriculture forward,” said Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director, in a statement on Saturday. “The bill takes no meaningful steps toward building a fair, responsible, and accessible farm safety net while needlessly siphoning funding away from popular and effective conservation programs.
“It does, however, create opportunities for important steps forward, particularly for local and regional food systems — by connecting local farmers to nearby communities and expanding meat processing capacity. Unfortunately, these investments lack mandatory funding, severely stunting their potential to improve farmer viability and community health.
“Moreover, dozens of critical programs, including those that support beginning farmers and ranchers, organic agriculture, and vital farmer-driven research, are both unimproved and level-funded, representing a roughly 20% cut due to seven years of inflation. NSAC will continue its review of legislative text in the days ahead. Farmers deserve a farm bill that delivers a fair farm safety net, builds climate resilience, and invests in strong local supply chains — anything less would fall short of what American agriculture actually needs.”
U.S. Dairy Export Council
The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) is a non-profit, independent membership organization that represents the global trade interests of U.S. dairy producers, proprietary processors and cooperatives, ingredient suppliers, and export traders.
“We are grateful to Chairman Thompson and the House Agriculture Committee for advancing policies that strengthen the competitiveness of America’s dairy industry,” Krysta Harden, USDEC president and CEO, said in a news release Friday. “These provisions will help reinforce the dairy supply chain, support rural communities, and ensure the United States remains a reliable supplier of high-quality dairy products to markets around the world.”
Editor’s note: Some of the previous statements have been edited and/or condensed by Successful Farming for style and clarity.
