MFBF urges quick passage of Farm Bill

The Montana Farm Bureau, along with more than 250 other food and agriculture organizations from across the country, has sent a letter to the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee urging them to support bi-partisan passage of the Agriculture Act of 2026, also called the farm bill. The markup is scheduled for Thursday, August 5.

The farm bill is a critical tool for ensuring our nation’s food supply remains secure. Funding for this comprehensive package includes risk management tools for farmers, access to nutrition for low-income families, conservation programs, and investments in agricultural research.

The updated bill draft incorporates several bipartisan conversations and priorities with important provisions beyond traditional farm bill program support, including authorizing the sale of E15 blended fuel year-round, expanding investments in specialty crops and measures to reduce input price volatility.

Beyond the updates already included, Farm Bureau is also calling on Congress to deliver a fix for interstate commerce issues and is working to fend against amendments that weaken the legislation. Both Republicans and Democrats will be able to offer amendments to the legislation during Thursday’s markup.

“Farm Bureau is strongly urging Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee members to support passage of the farm bill. If the Senate Ag Committee does not advance this bill out of committee this week, our window of opportunity closes quickly as there will be very little time to get it done before the end of the Congressional year,” said MFBF Senior Director of Governmental Affairs Nicole Rolf. “We sincerely appreciate the work Congress has done to get the legislation this far and now is the time to get it marked up and passed out of committee.”