For the first time since 2018, farmers and ranchers across the country are one step closer to updated federal farm policy. On April 30, the U.S. House passed a modernized Farm Bill with bipartisan support, marking progress toward passage of comprehensive legislation to guide U.S. agriculture.

“We applaud the House for coming together to pass a modernized Farm Bill that provides stability and a clear path forward for agriculture,” said Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation President Todd Fornstrom. “The Farm Bill serves as a critical part of the toolbox for farmers and ranchers, supporting everything from financing and risk management to research, development and rural health care.”

He continued, “The broad scope of the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 will have a significant impact on farmers, ranchers and communities across Wyoming. In many ways, Wyoming defines what it means to be rural, and these policies matter deeply to our way of life.”

Wyoming agriculture stands to benefit from several key provisions in the newly passed legislation, particularly those addressing wildfire risk reduction, expanded conservation programs and continued investment in research and development. Rural development and access to credit were also prioritized, including increased lending limits for government-backed loan programs—an important tool for Wyoming farmers and ranchers.

The bill also recognizes the growing need for mental health resources in rural communities, a critical issue across the state. With five more years of consistent Farm Bill policy and expanded risk management tools, the legislation provides much-needed stability and flexibility for Wyoming agriculture in an increasingly unpredictable environment.

 The inclusion of the PRIME Act expands opportunities for local meat processing and direct-to-consumer sales, supporting small producers and rural economies. The Grasslands Grazing Act aligns grazing permits on national grasslands with other federal land uses, providing greater consistency for livestock producers. The legislation also includes a provision prohibiting foreign adversaries from purchasing American farmland, reinforcing national security interests. 

The legislation addresses concerns over interstate commerce, aiming to prevent individual states from imposing production standards on producers in other states. This provision would restore pre-Prop 12 protein production where one state can't dictate production in another state. The bill also strengthens the Veterinary Loan Repayment Program through multiple improvements, a key step in addressing veterinarian shortages in rural communities.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on the House of Representatives vote to pass the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.

“Farmers and ranchers applaud the House of Representatives for passing a new, modernized farm bill. We appreciate Chairman G.T. Thompson’s leadership to get this done. After three years of extensions and eight years since a farm bill was passed, we’re grateful the House found a bipartisan path forward. Important updates to research and conservation, as well as increased loan limits and clarity on interstate commerce, will help farmers survive today’s challenges and give them the tools to thrive in the future.

“We urge the Senate to follow the House’s lead and move this important bipartisan legislation forward. Food security is national security, and investing in America’s farmers and ranchers is an investment in America’s families. We all benefit from a reliable and affordable food supply.”

The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots organization dedicated to strengthening Wyoming agriculture and enhancing Wyoming communities. For more than 100 years, WyFB has advocated for farmers and ranchers through grassroots policy working to strengthen agriculture and support farm and ranch families across the state. Learn more at www.wyfb.org.