Last week, the Senate Agriculture Committee, led by Chairman John Boozman (R-AR), released the discussion draft of the Agricultural Act of 2026 (Farm Bill 2.0), the Senate version of the farm bill. This version serves as a counterpart to the House-passed Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567, passed April 30). A committee markup is expected after the Senate returns from recess in mid-July.

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall commented on the Senate farm bill discussion draft. “American Farm Bureau appreciates Sen. Boozman’s work to move a farm bill forward in the Senate. The bill text provides important support for farm families. The benefits include improved access to credit, expanded investments in specialty crops, increased transparency in fertilizer markets, and enhanced research and conservation programs. The discussion draft is a good first step and provides a solid foundation that Farm Bureau will work to improve upon as the Senate moves toward markup.”

Key Themes and Goals

The draft is framed as "built for the people who feed America," aiming to provide certainty for farm families, strengthen rural communities, and support long-term food security. It modernizes programs in response to economic shifts since the 2018 farm bill, focusing on:

 

  • Farmers: Stronger risk management (e.g., crop insurance and disaster assistance expansions), updated commodity supports, dairy program reauthorizations, specialty crop aid, and enhanced drought/flexibility tools.
  • Rural America: Investments in infrastructure (broadband, water, local processing), rural health/mental health, childcare, and economic development.
  • Future/innovation: Boosted research, beginning farmer financing, precision agriculture, and conservation modernization.

 

Notable Features

  • Conservation — Reauthorizes and updates major programs like CRP (with acreage caps and higher payments), EQIP, CSP, ACEP, and RCPP; adds a new Forest Conservation Easement Program; emphasizes technical assistance reforms and innovative practices.
  • Disaster Assistance — Expands programs and creates new specialty crop and state block grant options.
  • Trade and Other — Strengthens export promotion, food procurement preferences, and rural development tools.

 

Differences from the House Version 

The Senate draft is broadly similar to the House bill but omits several contentious House provisions (e.g., no year-round E15 ethanol sales, no pesticide labeling preemption, no certain animal welfare overrides). It does not address or restore SNAP cuts from prior legislation (e.g., One Big Beautiful Bill Act), which has drawn Democratic criticism and questions about bipartisanship.

Overall, the Senate text positions itself as a more targeted, producer-focused update while leaving room for negotiation with the House. Final passage would require reconciliation between chambers and is likely to extend into later in 2026. For full details, see the Senate Committee's summary and text.

“In October 2025, Farm Bureau sent letters to President Trump and congressional leaders emphasizing the severe economic pressures facing America’s farmers and ranchers and highlighting actions that should be taken to improve economic conditions in rural America,” said Duvall. “While we have seen meaningful progress, more action is needed from Congress to ensure farmers can continue to supply dinner for families across America.  

“We look forward to working with the chairman and members of Congress to address three top priorities not included in this farm bill draft, which are needed to help farmers through the current multiyear downturn in the farm economy. They include providing economic aid to help farmers struggling with historic inflation, protecting interstate commerce from a patchwork of state laws, and approving the sale of E15 blended fuel year-round, which would be a win-win for farmers and consumers.” 

“Arizona agriculture is a $31 billion industry, a cornerstone of our state’s economy and heritage,” said Arizona Farm Bureau President John Boelts. “The investments and policies outlined in this farm bill framework will help ensure the viability of family farms, strengthen vital food and fiber supply chains, and safeguard our national food security. A robust, modern farm bill is essential not only to support producers through today’s challenges, but also to protect the long-term sustainability of U.S. agriculture.”

Earlier, Boelts pointed to how critical an updated farm bill is to American and Arizona agriculture. “Several economic threats and challenges face our farmers and ranchers across Arizona and across our country today. This farm bill is a great step in the direction of supporting farmers and ranchers in the way they need to be supported. The bill updates reference prices, which are desperately needed, and addresses a wide variety of topics that impact our ability to grow the food we need, right here in the United States for American consumers. We applaud Chairman Thompson and all the members of the House who worked to pass this important legislation. We look forward to the Senate passing its version soon.”

Added AFBF Duvall, “Farmers appreciate President Trump’s call for congressional action on E15 and economic aid, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins repeatedly highlighting the need to protect interstate commerce, in addition to the need for aid and E15. We urge the Senate to quickly pass a bipartisan farm bill, and with the same sense of urgency, Congress must work together to address these additional priorities. It’s time to deliver solutions to America’s farmers and ranchers.”