By: Bill Powers, DEFB President
Between rising input costs, unpredictable weather, and changing markets, farmers face uncertainty every day. While we cannot control many of these challenges, we should be able to count on some things to provide stability. One of those is a reliable Farm Bill.
Unfortunately, that is not where we stand today. The 2018 Farm Bill expired on September 30, 2026, after three extensions. It has been nearly eight years since the bill was passed, and we are still waiting on Congress to agree on a new one. This only adds to the uncertainty farmers are already dealing with.
There has been some progress. The House of Representatives passed its version of the Farm Bill earlier this year, and the Senate Agriculture Committee advanced its version in September. These are steps in the right direction, but there is still work to be done before a final bill can be passed.
Congress did address some agricultural programs through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year, including improvements to the farm safety net and additional funding for certain conservation programs. While these changes were important, they did not replace the need for a new Farm Bill. There are still programs supporting rural development, agricultural research, energy, and conservation that need to be addressed.
The Farm Bill affects more than just farmers. It affects our rural communities, our food supply, the next generation of farmers, and our economy. Here in Delaware, agriculture is a major part of who we are, and the decisions made in Washington have a direct impact on our farms and communities.
Farming takes a lot of planning and hope. We have to make decisions about what crops to plant, what animals to raise, what equipment to purchase, and so much more. Many of these decisions have to be made months, or even years, in advance. Having a Farm Bill that we can count on is an important part of that planning.
Several issues remain part of the discussion in Congress, including nutrition assistance through SNAP, year-round E15 fuel sales, and Proposition 12. These are complex issues, and there are different opinions on how they should be handled. But at some point, lawmakers have to come together, work through their differences, and find a way forward.
Time is running out. If Congress cannot agree on a new Farm Bill or another extension before the end of the year, certain agricultural provisions dating back to the 1930s and 1940s could return in January. This would only add uncertainty and confusion for an industry already facing plenty of challenges.
When Congress returns after the November election, passing a Farm Bill needs to be a top priority. I encourage our members to contact Delaware’s congressional delegation and share why passing this legislation matters. Our representatives need to hear firsthand how uncertainty in Washington affects the decisions being made on our farms here in Delaware.
Farmers need lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to come together, settle the remaining issues, and get a Farm Bill across the finish line.
Agriculture will not and cannot stop while Congress works through its differences. Farmers will keep doing what we have always done, working hard and producing the food, fuel, and fiber our country depends on. We cannot control the weather or the markets, but we should be able to count on Congress to provide stability for agriculture’s future.
