By Shay Frank
The U.S. House passed a Farm Bill on April 30 after nearly a decade of stalled efforts to update the key legislation.
The U.S. Senate is expected to release its version of the text in June. But in the meantime, the National Young Farmer's Coalition is pressing for more provisions for a new generation of farmers.
The proposed legislation addresses some of what young and small farmers asked for, but many believe it falls short.
"They're all concerned about what's going on with it," Trumbull County farmer Markisha Parker said. "My hope is that the future agricultural policy becomes more accessible and reflective of diversity of today's farming."
The Farm Bill is a massive package of legislation that shapes agriculture and nutrition policy.
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 covers a wealth of agricultural issues including commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, energy, horticulture, crop insurance, livestock and other animals, and foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land.
Farmers from the National Young Farmers Coalition have expressed concerns that the bill doesn’t do enough for young, first-generation farmers as they see rising farm bankruptcies, increased barriers to land and capital, rising fuel and input prices, and climate pressures.
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