By Jamie Martin
The Farm Bill, a key piece of legislation first introduced in 1933, is more than just support for farmers–it plays a major role in feeding millions of Americans. While it ensures stable pricing and income for farmers, it also funds essential programs that benefit low-income families and supports the wider economy.
Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Farm Bill funds programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC),
Price Loss Coverage (PLC), and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). These initiatives help farmers manage unstable prices and environmental risks, while consumers benefit from affordable food.
The 2018-2023 Farm Bill allocated 76% of its $428 billion budget to nutrition efforts, particularly SNAP, which helped over 42 million people in 2023. States like New Mexico saw SNAP usage reach up to 23.1% of residents. The USDA found that every $1 billion invested in SNAP increased the GDP by $1.54 billion and supported over 13,500 jobs.
“There’s a big need to make agriculture more efficient,” said Benedetto Marelli, an MIT professor. “Agrochemicals are important... but they’re also expensive and bring environmental side effects.”
Despite its importance, the Farm Bill is now in jeopardy due to legislative gridlock. The current bill, extended through the American Relief Act of 2025, will expire soon. Without action from Congress, the law could revert to outdated standards from the Great Depression, disrupting programs and inflating food costs.
To prevent this, many suggest passing a permanent Farm Bill and only revising it when needed. As debates continue under the Trump administration, concerns grow over $230 billion in restricted SNAP funding and plans to shift costs to individual states.
The Farm Bill is not just about agriculture–it’s about stability, equity, and economic health for the entire country.
Photo Credit - pexels-karolina-grabowska
Categories: National