After months of negotiations, Congress is preparing to take another significant step toward a new Farm Bill.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman has scheduled a committee markup of the Agricultural Act of 2026 for Thursday morning. During the markup, senators will review the legislation, debate proposed amendments and decide whether to send the bill to the full Senate for consideration.
A new five-year Farm Bill has been a top priority for agricultural organizations, which say producers need greater certainty after operating under a series of temporary extensions. The legislation serves as the foundation for many USDA programs affecting farmers, ranchers and rural communities across the country.
The current Senate proposal includes continued investments in agricultural research, conservation programs, crop risk management tools, export promotion and international food assistance. While the bill could still change during the legislative process, commodity groups say moving the legislation forward is an important step after months of delays.
For growers and ranchers across the Southeast, the Farm Bill affects far more than traditional commodity programs. It also influences specialty crop initiatives, conservation incentives, agricultural research, rural development programs and portions of the farm safety net that producers rely on during difficult economic and weather conditions.
Following Thursday’s committee markup, the legislation would still need approval from the full Senate. The House would also need to pass its own version before lawmakers can negotiate a final bill to send to the President.
We’ll continue following the committee’s work this week and keep you updated on any changes that could affect agriculture here in Florida, Georgia and Alabama.