S. Brett Guthrie
05/18/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/18/2026 12:23
Congressman Guthrie Op-Ed – Supporting Much-Needed Certainty and Relief for Kentucky Farmers
Bowling Green, KY - In a new op-ed in the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) outlined the ways that, in passing the 2026 Farm Bill, the House of Representatives has delivered much-needed certainty and relief for Kentucky farmers.
Congressman Guthrie: Supporting Much-Needed Certainty and Relief for Kentucky Farmers
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
Congressman Brett Guthrie
May 15, 2026
"For hundreds of years, Kentucky agriculture has been at the core of the Commonwealth's culture and economic prosperity.
"In Kentucky's Second District alone, nearly 20,000 farms help feed and clothe our nation while supporting the rural communities that so many Kentuckians call home.
"Unfortunately, since the last Farm Bill was authorized in 2018, farmers have faced rising input costs, market uncertainty, workforce shortages, and severe weather that have made it hard to do business.
"Since the beginning of the 119th Congress, Republicans have been working to enact solutions and provide agriculture producers the certainty and support they deserve.
"Last summer, Republicans in Congress took our first step, passing H.R. 1, the Working Families Tax Cuts. This bill notably strengthened the farm safety net by making a $56 billion investment in commodity programs, including raising reference prices and increasing Marketing Assistance Loan rates. It also invested $6 billion in crop insurance, making stronger coverage more affordable for producers facing unpredictable conditions.
"Additionally, the Working Families Tax Cuts provided additional certainty for farmers by establishing a standing framework for providing support for specialty crop producers in times of economic peril, creating a standing block grant authority for future disaster payments, and ensuring producers are able to repay their marketing loans in the event of a government shutdown.
"While H.R. 1 delivered critical, much-needed relief, particularly in commodity pricing, we still had more work to do. That's why, recently, the House took action, passing H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, also known as the 2026 Farm Bill.
"This historic legislation, along with H.R. 1, is the largest investment for American farmers in a generation. Once enacted, the Farm Bill will strengthen our rural economy, increase affordability throughout the food supply chain, and bolster the competitiveness of American producers on the global market.
"The 2026 Farm Bill improves access to precision agriculture technologies and services, helping producers increase efficiency and productivity while conserving resources. It also supports rural development by encouraging private capital investment in rural communities through the renewal of existing business and cooperative development programs, and investing in programs that address workforce shortages that continue to impact rural areas across the country.
"Additionally, the bill reauthorizes programs that strengthen rural communities by helping bridge the digital divide through expanded broadband connectivity and increased access to telehealth services through programs such as the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program.
"Kentucky farmers know that healthy, sustainable farmland is necessary for farmers to be able to efficiently carry out their work. For generations, they have been at the forefront of responsible farming, and I am proud to report that our bill enacts important conservation efforts to support soil health, water quality, and prevent future erosion.
"Importantly, the Farm Bill also builds upon efforts in the Working Families Tax Cuts to improve nutrition outcomes and bolster the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). By enacting reforms that increase state partnerships and improve individual accountability, the Farm Bill closes loopholes that have enabled fraud so that the program remains viable for those it is intended to serve well into the future. It also takes action to improve nutrition by codifying updated dietary guidelines that emphasize nutrient-dense foods.
"Finally, this Farm Bill includes Congressman Andy Barr's White Oak Resilience Act, which I was proud to help lead as an original co-sponsor. This bill will help to promote the long-term health of the American white oak - a keystone species essential to forest ecosystems and a critical component of Kentucky's economy.
"The House passage of the 2026 Farm Bill is an important step toward providing long-term stability and certainty for America's farmers and rural communities. Our agricultural producers work tirelessly every day to keep our nation fed and clothed. They deserve policies that support their success, strengthen rural economies, and ensure American agriculture remains the strongest in the world.
"This Farm Bill delivers on that mission.
"Congressman Brett Guthrie has served the people of Kentucky's Second District in Congress since 2009. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce."
Congressman Guthrie: Supporting Much-Needed Certainty and Relief for Kentucky Farmers
Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
Congressman Brett Guthrie
May 15, 2026
"For hundreds of years, Kentucky agriculture has been at the core of the Commonwealth's culture and economic prosperity.
"In Kentucky's Second District alone, nearly 20,000 farms help feed and clothe our nation while supporting the rural communities that so many Kentuckians call home.
"Unfortunately, since the last Farm Bill was authorized in 2018, farmers have faced rising input costs, market uncertainty, workforce shortages, and severe weather that have made it hard to do business.
"Since the beginning of the 119th Congress, Republicans have been working to enact solutions and provide agriculture producers the certainty and support they deserve.
"Last summer, Republicans in Congress took our first step, passing H.R. 1, the Working Families Tax Cuts. This bill notably strengthened the farm safety net by making a $56 billion investment in commodity programs, including raising reference prices and increasing Marketing Assistance Loan rates. It also invested $6 billion in crop insurance, making stronger coverage more affordable for producers facing unpredictable conditions.
"Additionally, the Working Families Tax Cuts provided additional certainty for farmers by establishing a standing framework for providing support for specialty crop producers in times of economic peril, creating a standing block grant authority for future disaster payments, and ensuring producers are able to repay their marketing loans in the event of a government shutdown.
"While H.R. 1 delivered critical, much-needed relief, particularly in commodity pricing, we still had more work to do. That's why, recently, the House took action, passing H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, also known as the 2026 Farm Bill.
"This historic legislation, along with H.R. 1, is the largest investment for American farmers in a generation. Once enacted, the Farm Bill will strengthen our rural economy, increase affordability throughout the food supply chain, and bolster the competitiveness of American producers on the global market.
"The 2026 Farm Bill improves access to precision agriculture technologies and services, helping producers increase efficiency and productivity while conserving resources. It also supports rural development by encouraging private capital investment in rural communities through the renewal of existing business and cooperative development programs, and investing in programs that address workforce shortages that continue to impact rural areas across the country.
"Additionally, the bill reauthorizes programs that strengthen rural communities by helping bridge the digital divide through expanded broadband connectivity and increased access to telehealth services through programs such as the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program.
"Kentucky farmers know that healthy, sustainable farmland is necessary for farmers to be able to efficiently carry out their work. For generations, they have been at the forefront of responsible farming, and I am proud to report that our bill enacts important conservation efforts to support soil health, water quality, and prevent future erosion.
"Importantly, the Farm Bill also builds upon efforts in the Working Families Tax Cuts to improve nutrition outcomes and bolster the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). By enacting reforms that increase state partnerships and improve individual accountability, the Farm Bill closes loopholes that have enabled fraud so that the program remains viable for those it is intended to serve well into the future. It also takes action to improve nutrition by codifying updated dietary guidelines that emphasize nutrient-dense foods.
"Finally, this Farm Bill includes Congressman Andy Barr's White Oak Resilience Act, which I was proud to help lead as an original co-sponsor. This bill will help to promote the long-term health of the American white oak - a keystone species essential to forest ecosystems and a critical component of Kentucky's economy.
"The House passage of the 2026 Farm Bill is an important step toward providing long-term stability and certainty for America's farmers and rural communities. Our agricultural producers work tirelessly every day to keep our nation fed and clothed. They deserve policies that support their success, strengthen rural economies, and ensure American agriculture remains the strongest in the world.
"This Farm Bill delivers on that mission.
"Congressman Brett Guthrie has served the people of Kentucky's Second District in Congress since 2009. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce."
S. Brett Guthrie published this content on May 18, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 18, 2026 at 18:23 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]