NCSL Urges Congress to Pass Remaining Farm Bill Provisions

NCSL Urges Congress to Pass Remaining Farm Bill Provisions

Chair Boozman, Chair Thompson, Ranking Member Klobuchar, Ranking Member Craig:

On behalf of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the bipartisan organization representing the legislatures of our nation's states, commonwealths and territories, we write to applaud Congressional efforts thus far to address the needs of American farmers and call for further action on the remaining traditional farm bill provisions. The repeated continuing resolutions that have been passed since the expiration of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 have been insufficient to appropriately support American agriculture. While the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-121) provided initial vital relief more work still needs to be done. Congressional agriculture leaders have indicated that a "skinny" farm bill will be pursued this fall and NCSL stands ready to work with Congress on this important legislation. 

As Congress develops and negotiates bill language, NCSL, on behalf of states, supports the following: 

Bolstering the Agriculture Workforce

American agriculture cannot survive without an adequate workforce. As the average age of American farmers, producers and ranchers continues to increase according to data from the USDA's Farmers Census, NCSL urges Congress to proactively work with states to address this workforce need before it becomes a crisis. The federal government should continue to provide federal programs, loans, insurance and extreme weather recovery assistance and support state initiatives, programs, grants and tax incentives that aid beginning farmers and ranchers and encourage the development of the next generation of agriculture labor. NCSL also supports agriculture programs, local and regional food system integration initiatives and trainings that benefit American veterans and other limited-resource farmers.  

Furthermore, NCSL urges Congress to bolster the existing agriculture workforce by improving the H-2A visa program which serves as the pathway for the majority of legal immigrant agriculture labor without also leading to citizenship. Congress should extend eligibility of visas to all agriculture sectors, increase the eligible length of employment under the visa and streamline the visa application process and visa requirements for laborers and employers.  

Strengthening Rural America 

American agriculture predominantly resides in rural areas that are at risk of getting left behind. NCSL asks Congress to ensure that rural America keeps pace with the rest of the country by providing modern infrastructure development and sufficient services, supporting catalyzing economic development and improved economic competitiveness, and ensuring that these communities experience balanced growth and community sustainability. In particular, NCSL asks the federal government to provide funding for broadband and other digital communications infrastructure and technologies and work with states to support improved access to healthcare, mental health services and education. 

Maintaining Support for Agriculture Conservation and Forest Management Programs 

Voluntary agriculture conservation and forest management programs have demonstrable value to American farmers, which is made apparent by the oversubscription of many federal programs. NCSL calls on Congress to be responsive to this demand and provide support at least equal to current funding levels. Adequate funding is needed to ensure the resiliency and continued success of our nation's farming, ranching and forestry industries, which have come to depend on these programs to help protect the ecosystems they work in and rely on. NCSL also calls on Congress to ensure that any new land policies enacted are closely coordinated with states to promote policy alignment at both state and federal levels and to ensure they do not negatively impact how states receive federal assistance or manage sensitive ecosystems, agriculture and forestry lands. 

Providing Funding for Agriculture Research and Development 

Research and development is a vital component to the continuing prosperity of American agriculture. NCSL urges Congress to continue providing funding to support and supplement the research and development federal agencies, state and local governments and land grant universities are doing. This work helps the agriculture industry innovate, educate and train, increase efficiency and productivity, reduce costs, and remain resilient to threats from disease, pests, extreme weather and global competition. The federal government should collaborate closely with states to ensure the best use of these funds, mitigate the negative impacts of external threats, enhance farm income and agriculture trade and secure the nation's food supply chain. Adequate funding for agriculture research and development supports the prosperity of American farmers, producers and ranchers by providing modern solutions to existing and emerging challenges. 

Protecting the Hemp Industry 

Since the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp has become a well-established and growing sector in American agriculture. NCSL asks Congress to protect and increase support for this crop, by raising the limit of total THC content to 1% or less. Such an adjustment will increase the viability and profitability of this crop for American producers and grow industry confidence. Furthermore, NCSL asks Congress to continue to allow states regulatory authority over this crop. 

NCSL, on behalf of states, stands ready to work with Congress on the 2025 "skinny" farm bill to ensure certainty and stability for America's farmers, ranchers and foresters. If you have any questions regarding the priorities outlined above, please do not hesitate to contact the following NCSL staff: for agriculture and rural development purposes please contact Megan Bland at 202.624.3569 or [email protected]; for broadband provisions please contact Barrie Tabin at 202.624.8698 or [email protected].  

Sincerely, 

State Senator Larry Luick
NCSL Natural Resources Energy & Environment Committee Co-Chair
North Dakota Senate

State Senator Katie Fry Hester
NCSL Natural Resources Energy & Environment Committee Co-Chair
Maryland Senate

State Senator Annette Sweeney
NCSL Agriculture Task Force Co-Chair
Iowa Senate

State Representative Rick Hansen
NCSL Agriculture Task Force Co-Chair
Minnesota House of Representatives

CC:
All members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry 
All members of the House Committee on Agriculture  

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