United States farm bill

In the United States, the farm bill is the primary agricultural and food policy tool of the federal government. The comprehensive omnibus bill is passed every 5 years or so by the United States Congress and deals with both agriculture and all other affairs under the purview of the United States Department of Agriculture.

It usually makes amendments and suspensions to provisions of permanent law, reauthorizes, amends, or repeals provisions of preceding temporary agricultural acts, and puts forth new policy provisions for a limited time into the future. Beginning in 1933, farm bills have included titles on commodity programs, trade, rural development, farm credit, conservation, agricultural research, food and nutrition programs, marketing, etc.

Farm bills can be highly controversial and can impact international trade, environmental conservation, food safety, and the well-being of rural communities. The agricultural subsidy programs mandated by the farm bills are the subject of intense debate both within the U.S. and internationally.

Agricultural Act of 1954

The Agricultural Act of 1954 (P.L. 83-690) is a United States federal law that, among other provisions, authorized a Commodity Credit Corporation reserve for foreign and domestic relief.

The Act established a flexible price support for basic commodities (excluding tobacco) at 82.5-90% of parity and authorized a Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) reserve for foreign and domestic relief. Title VII was designated the National Wool Act of 1954 and provided for a new price support program for wool and mohair to encourage increased domestic production. Price support for wool and mohair continued through marketing year 1995, at which time it was phased down and terminated under the explicit mandate of P.L. 103-130 (November 1, 1993). Mandatory support for wool and mohair was restored by the 2002 farm bill (P.L. 101-171, Sec. 1201-1205).

This Act is separate from, and should not be confused with, the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954.

References

  • Peters,Gerhard; Woolley, John T. "Dwight D. Eisenhower: "Statement by the President Upon Signing the Agricultural Act of 1954" August 28, 1954". The American Presidency Project. University of California - Santa Barbara. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
  • Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996

    The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-127), known informally as the Freedom to Farm Act, the FAIR Act, or the 1996 U.S. Farm Bill, was the omnibus 1996 farm bill that, among other provisions, revises and simplifies direct payment programs for crops and eliminates milk price supports through direct government purchases.

    The law removed the link between income support payments and farm prices. It authorized 7-year production flexibility contract payments that provided participating producers with fixed government payments independent of current farm prices and production.

    The law specified the total amount of money to be made available through contract payments under production flexibility contracts for each fiscal year from 1996 through 2002. Payment levels were allocated among contract commodities according to specified percentages, generally derived from each commodity’s share of projected deficiency payments for fiscal 1996-2002.

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    Latest News for: farm bill

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    Grist 21 Mar 2025
    The grants are part of the Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP, originally created in the 2008 farm bill and supercharged by funding from the IRA.

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    Journal Gazette 21 Mar 2025
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    Charles City Press 21 Mar 2025
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    Journal Gazette 21 Mar 2025
    SPRINGFIELD — A Senate committee passed a bill this week that would give specialized training on human trafficking and establish coordination across multiple state agencies and partners ... The bill now goes to the full Senate for a vote.

    Farmers could face ‘billons of dollars of loss’ in retaliatory trade war, Slotkin warns

    Michigan Live 21 Mar 2025
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    MENA FN 21 Mar 2025
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    Burlington Free Press 21 Mar 2025
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    De La Cruz and Gonzalez Clash Over Credit for Rio Grande Valley Agricultural Relief Funds

    Texas Border Business 21 Mar 2025
    this funding comes from the December 2024 stop-gap appropriations bill, which passed Congress thanks to Democratic votes ... It’s past time Congress pass the Farm Bill and regular appropriations bills.”.

    North Dakota dairy farm plans to add processing; bill would add state incentives

    Aberdeen News 20 Mar 2025
    ... Bill 2342 proposes a grant for milk processing plants, aiming to support the struggling industry.The number of dairy farms in North Dakota has dwindled to 23, with only about 8,700 cows in the state.

    Sen. McConnell Introduces the Protecting American Farmlands Act to support farmers and keep farmland in production

    The Pioneer News 20 Mar 2025
    Kentucky Farm Bureau ... By reducing financial barriers for farm transitions, this bill gives retiring farmers an option to sell their land without losing significant portions of their proceeds to taxes.

    Minnesota Farm Bureau stage makes for windy Day on the Hill

    Duluth News Tribune 20 Mar 2025
    "We wrote three farm bills together and those were bipartisan, all in the best interest of this country, making sure that the people standing here are the people that not only feed, fuel and clothe people in Minnesota, but the world," he said.

    Senate votes to restrict Iowa drivers’ use of handheld devices, then raises speed limits

    Charles City Press 20 Mar 2025
    Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, proposed an amendment to eliminate an exemption in the bill for drivers of farm equipment, saying lawmakers should focus on safety for all Iowans on the roads ... The bill now moves to the House.

    Oregon farm stand bill shelved in lieu of new regulations

    Capital Press 20 Mar 2025
    During a recent legislative hearing on the bill, however, lawmakers and stakeholders involved in negotiations over farm stands agreed the matter should first be referred to the state’s Department of Land Conservation and Development.

    Tariffs are policy focus as family farmers & ranchers travel to 2025 National Farmers Union Convention

    West River Eagle 20 Mar 2025
    Trade Tariffs and passage of a Farm Bill top the list of policy topics South Dakota Farmers Union delegates will discuss with agriculture producers from across the U.S ... Passage of a Farm Bill. Right to repair farm equipment.

    Insurance companies concerned about wildfire liability limits for North Dakota utilities

    The Dickinson Press 20 Mar 2025
    Greg Kessel, R-Belfield, introduced Senate Bill 2339 to the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday ... Still, he said State Farm would see the bill as acceptable if NAMIC's amendments are added.
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