Update as of April 30:

Farm Bill Passes in House  

On April 30, the House Passed the $390 billion budget-neutral Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 by a vote of 224-200. The House’s successful vote marks the farthest a farm bill has made it in Congress since the most recent reauthorization was signed into law in 2018. The bill would extend authorization for most of the programs in the Rural Development (Title VI) through Fiscal Year 2031.

Read the passed bill HERE. 

BACKGROUND 

The U.S. Farm Bill is a legislative package that shapes federal policy on a wide swath of issues including agriculture, nutrition assistance, rural development, conservation, community development, land stewardship, and infrastructure investment. 

The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, the most recent Farm Bill, was originally set to expire in 2023; however, after negotiations in Congress stalled, it received a series of short-term extensions and is now funded at existing levels through September 30, 2026. In 2025, Congress passed H.R. 1, which included several measures traditionally addressed during Farm Bill reauthorization. Click HERE for more information on the measures included in H.R.1. 

RURAL PROVISIONS INCLUDED IN PASSED BILL 

The House version of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 continues support for rural development initiatives. Provisions benefitting rural communities are outlined below: 

• Strengthens broadband connectivity to rural communities through including $350 million per year for five years for the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program.  

• Codifies the Rural Water and Wastewater Circuit Rider Program to include disaster recovery. 

• Reauthorizes the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program through 2031. 

• Encourages private capital investments in rural communities through existing rural development business and cooperative programs including $25 million per year for five years for the Intermediary Relending Program.  

• Invests in and strengthens rural water infrastructure through reauthorizing the Water, Waste Disposal, and Wastewater Facility Grants Program at $15 million per year for five years and the Solid Waste Management Grants Program at $10 million per year for five years.  

• Directs USDA to provide technical assistance and capacity building support to counties and other local partners to enhance access to rural development programs in underserved and distressed areas.  

• Expands access to the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) through a program delivery pilot that prioritizes rural communities.  

• Establishes a standing authority to deliver ad hoc disaster assistance via block grant to States.  

• Addresses existing workforce challenges within rural communities to effectively meet their needs through reauthorizing the Rural Innovation Stronger Economy (RISE) Grant Program at $10 million per year for five years.  

• Allows Farm Credit institutions to partner with community banks and other lenders in financing essential community facilities in rural areas  

• Protects access to health care in rural America through codifying the Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program.  

• Enhances efforts to meet the childcare demands of rural areas through establishing a three-year rural childcare initiative.  

• Codifies the Rural Development Innovation Center. 

WHAT’S NEXT?  

Significant challenges still lie ahead before a final Farm Bill can be enacted prior to the expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill on September 30, 2026. A number of factors may continue to slow progress. Senate Agriculture Committee counterparts have yet to introduce text or provide a firm timeline for moving their farm bill legislation. The Senate will need a bipartisan 60-vote majority to pass, and disagreements are likely over nutrition funding and conservation policy. 

NADO will keep our members updated on any developments to this critical piece of legislation.