Farm Bill Reauthorization
Overview
The Farm Bill plays a vital role in supporting counties as they deliver essential services to residents and visitors. This $1.5 trillion legislative package enables counties to make key investments in infrastructure, economic development, workforce training, nutrition, and conservation, with a special focus on our nation’s most underserved communities.
This hub provides essential information, tools, and advocacy opportunities to help county leaders and communities fully understand the Farm Bill’s impact—from agriculture and nutrition to rural development, conservation, public land stewardship, and more. Equip your county with the knowledge needed to actively engage in the legislative process and ensure that the voices of your residents are at the forefront in shaping this critical legislation.
The Farm Bill By The Numbers
1.89 million
farms across the U.S. benefit from Farm Bill programs
$16.8 billion
invested in USDA Rural Development Programs in 2023 through the Farm Bill
42.6 million
county residents receive nutrition benefits through the Farm Bill
Latest Farm Bill Updates
Legislative Analysis for Counties: Farm, Food, and National Security Act
After months of negotiations, lawmakers on the House Committee on Agriculture advanced their version of the 2024 Farm Bill, dubbed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, after a committee markup on May 23. The bipartisan legislative package passed 31-22 with full support from committee Republicans and four Democratic votes.
Legislative Toolkit for Counties: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
This toolkit provides an overview of the county role in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), federal policy priorities for ensuring SNAP is effectively serving county residents and the current legislative and administrative outlook for program reforms.
NACo Primer for Counties: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Agricultural Land
Foreign ownership of agricultural land is receiving increasing attention from Capitol Hill and state and county governments across the country. This report delves into the current trends in foreign ownership of agricultural land in the United States and provides a survey of the state and federal legislative landscape on this issue, with a particular focus on the implications for county governments.
Maintain Funding for USDA Rural Development Programs
Urge your members of Congress to support U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development programs throughout the FY 2025 appropriations process by meeting or exceeding FY 2024 funding levels.
Contact NACo Staff
Owen Hart
Joe Jackson
Contact Your Members of Congress
Urge your Members of Congress to fully fund the Farm Bill by passing a five-year reauthorization that addresses county priorities. Programs throughout the legislation help counties and our residents make critical investments in infrastructure, workforce and economic development, nutrition and conservation for some of our nation’s most underserved communities.