The Montana Farm Bureau applauds the House passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, also known as the 2026 Farm Bill.  There has not been a farm bill since it expired in 2023.

“Montana’s agricultural community appreciates the reinforcements to the farm safety net provided by the One Big Beautiful Bill last summer, but so many of the primary titles of the Farm Bill, such as nutrition, conservation, research and trade, to name a few, remain in jeopardy without a finalized, reauthorized bill,” said MFBF President Cyndi Johnson.

America has lost over 160,000 farms since 2017. Low commodity prices, rising supply costs, inflation, and outdated farm policy provisions threaten to put more out of business. Without action to pass a new bill, farm families risk losing access to critical programs ranging from conservation and rural development to research and energy.

The Conrad wheat farmer did express disappointment that a uniform pesticide provision didn’t make it into the bill. “That provision is vital to Montana agriculture for interstate commerce protections. Having patchwork pesticide laws will wreak havoc with commerce across state lines.”

Still, Johnson was pleased to see the legislation advance and noted that the farm bill’s impact extends well beyond the farm by protecting our nation’s food supply, providing access to nutrition for families facing hunger, advancing conservation efforts, and spurring innovation through agricultural research.

“Managing risk on the farm is critical to keeping food on our tables,” added Johnson. “The farm bill helps farmers hold on through weather disasters, high supply costs and inflationary pressures. You can’t run a business without a plan; a Farm Bill is a critical component of every farmer’s business plan – it delineates your risk, opportunities, restrictions, and challenges as you plan your farming year. We’ve been struggling to operate without a clear plan for far too long. We look forward to seeing this legislation quickly pass in the Senate so farmers can continue to operate with certainty and continue to feed the world.”