Highlights of House-Passed 2026 Farm Bill

It has been eight years since a farm bill was passed; however, there have been several extensions of this bill. Historically, the legislation is renewed every five years with a bipartisan vote. The last farm bill was passed in 2018; however, a divided Congress has not been able to reach a renewal agreement since its expiration in 2023, outside of three extensions of the 2018 farm bill. 

On April 30th, 2026, the US House of Representatives found a bipartisan path forward (224-200 vote). The $390 billion 2026 Farm Bill (H.R. 7567) is now headed to the Senate for debate. While there still might be a long road ahead, here are the highlights for specialty crop and small-scale producers from the House.

Local Food and Agricultural Research

The bill authorized a new local food procurement program and preserved the viability of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Specifically, the bill incorporates the "Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act" to connect local producers with food assistance programs and directs Specialty Crop Block Grant program administrators to consult with producers when setting priorities for the program.

Funding was also provided to increase research aimed at sustainability, specialty crops, and technology. Specifically, the bill revised the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (ARDA) program to provide federal support for innovative, sustainable agricultural solutions; increased minimum funding levels for 1890 Land-Grant institutions; established a new Specialty Crop Mechanization and Automation Research and Extension Program; and reauthorized the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) through FY 2030. Additionally, a new study on farmer mental health (Farmer Assistance, Resilience, and Mental Health Evaluation Research Study) was authorized. 

Additionally, the bill established testing standards for honey (commercial honey packers) to combat adulteration. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must establish a formal, legal definition of honey within one year based on United States Pharmacopeia standards. The goal is to ensure that imported and domestic honey is not blended with cheaper sweeteners.

Conservation

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was reauthorized through 2031. The bill aims to stabilize farm income while supporting voluntary, incentive-based conservation such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Additionally, the Farmable Wetlands Program was extended. The bill did modify county acreage limits by combining some CRP and wetland caps into a single, streamlined limit. These program extensions do give some long-term certainty for producers. 

Rural Development

Key rural development provisions include high-speed broadband internet expansion to underserved areas, authorization of technical assistance to help rural areas secure federal funding, and water system upgrade assistance through low-interest loans and loan forgiveness. The bill also expands eligibility for USDA rural development programs by raising eligibility limits to populations of 50,000. It strengthens investment in rural health care, including expanding and prioritizing funding for programs that address mental health, maternal health, and substance abuse.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and subsidies

Nutrition assistance programs and subsidy spending through 2031 were authorized. The major changes made to agricultural and food programs signed into law last year remained intact. The bill is being criticized for maintaining SNAP cuts estimated at $187 billion between FY 2025 and FY 2034. While some see this as "cementing" or "locking in" prior massive cuts, some feared that revisiting SNAP cuts risked breaking the bipartisan coalition necessary for passing the comprehensive farm bill. The cut to SNAP funding also, on net, increased mandatory spending for farm subsidies by roughly $60 billion between FY 2025 and FY 2034. 

The legislation is expected to reduce monthly benefits for millions of households and lower participation rates. The work requirements and state waivers restrictions remained intact. However, the House passed an amendment (384-35 vote) allowing SNAP recipients to purchase hot rotisserie chickens with benefits. This is a big step forward, as hot, ready-to-eat foods are restricted under current SNAP rules. Additionally, the restriction on SNAP recipients purchasing soda with benefits was voted down.  

After going back and forth on a provision allowing an ethanol blend known as E15 (gasoline made with 15% ethanol) to be available for sale year-round, lawmakers extracted it from the bill. While E15 increases demand for corn, it has been limited because of its potential for pollution in high temperatures. Lawmakers agreed to vote on the issue later this spring. 

Pesticide Labeling and Liability

A controversial provision relating to the uniformity of pesticide labeling, the authority of states, and lawful use of authorized pesticides was stripped from the bill before passage. Removal of the language reaffirmed that decision-making for registration and regulation of pesticides remains at the EPA and the state lead agency. Therefore, this bill protects existing state-level authority to set stricter pesticide safety regulations than the federal government and prevents a liability shield for pesticide companies involved in “failure to warn” lawsuits.

This is seen as a win by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, bipartisan lawmakers, and public health advocates. However, Richard Gupton (Ag Retailers Association) says it may cause product uncertainty in agriculture, as legal decisions on pesticide products with warning labels would be made jury-by-jury. This raises concerns about future investments by pesticide companies in registering new products or withdrawing registration from certain states. 

Animal Agriculture

The farm bill retained the “Save Our Bacon Act.” This provision restricts state and local governments from interfering with livestock production standards in other states. Pushed for by the National Pork Producers Council after California’s Proposition 12, this act aims to protect access to interstate commerce and alleviate overregulation. Additionally, the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program received funding and full program recognition.

The bill also voted down the repeal of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) rule requiring electronic identification (EID). Therefore, the APHIS rule mandating EID ear tags for certain bison and cattle moving across state lines is still in effect. 

Building Upon the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

The House-passed farm bill included and built upon several key agricultural provisions, credit enhancements, and funding initiatives that were enacted or established in the 2025 "One Big Beautiful Bill Act."  

• The House-passed bill builds on the modernization of farm safety nets and crop insurance enhancements. 
• It retained increased loan limits for guaranteed operating loans and guaranteed ownership loans, alongside higher direct loan limits.
• Boosted funding to expand access to international markets for American producers.
• Maintains improvements to Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) payments.

Conclusion

This bill will now move to the Senate, which will either amend the House-passed bill or craft its own bipartisan bill. Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman, R-Ark., is targeting the end of May or early June for a bill markup. Once both chambers pass their respective versions, a joint (House and Senate) conference committee will negotiate the differences. The final, compromise package must be passed by both the House and the Senate again before going to the president. While mainstream media has focused on the loudest arguments (SNAP, subsidies, and pesticide provisions), the bill covers a wide swath of new and continued funding and authorization for programs around research, conservation, forestry, and rural development.

*These decisions are not final. 

**The UK-CCD is non-partisan and wishes to express nothing but layman's terms for provisions in the House-passed farm bill. 

***Last revision: 05/04/2026.