Key Takeaways
- The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and other farm bill programs have expired as the new fiscal year begins.
- Congressional leaders are exploring options for a new “skinny” farm bill, but time is limited due to other legislative priorities.
- Over 260 agricultural organizations urge Congress to act, stressing the need for a full farm bill to support U.S. agriculture stability.
Programs Under Review
The authorization for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and other farm bill initiatives has lapsed with the beginning of the new fiscal year, raising concerns among agricultural stakeholders. House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn Thompson expressed a desire for a “skinny” farm bill to reauthorize programs omitted from earlier reconciliation efforts. However, no specific timeline for action has been established.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman noted that even though “about 80% of the farm bill” was previously passed, the remaining programs still require urgent attention. He acknowledged the difficulties in finalizing the farm bill amid pressing national issues, including the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act and the current government shutdown.
University of Illinois agriculture policy professor Jonathan Coppess highlighted the CRP’s expiration as particularly concerning, as the program incentivizes farmers to withdraw environmentally sensitive land from production—especially crucial in light of current market difficulties affecting row crop farmers. Coppess emphasized that the timing of the expiration is unfortunate, coinciding with lease renegotiations between landlords and tenants.
Andrew Schmidt, director of government affairs at Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, indicated that as of October 1, USDA lost the authority to enroll new CRP contracts. Existing contracts can still be serviced, though the government shutdown is impacting some operations. Schmidt remarked that the CRP is a significant component of agricultural policy that has not been extended, raising industry concerns.
Currently, the CRP manages approximately 26.6 million acres, close to its cap of 27 million. As many as 1.5 million acres are set to expire by next September alone. This uncertainty poses challenges for landowners aiming to reenroll and maintain their conservation commitments, as they cannot plan until the program is reopened.
Recently, over 260 agricultural organizations sent a letter to Congress urging the passage of a new farm bill. While the reconciliation bill included essential provisions for long-term agricultural stability, stakeholders argue that it cannot replace a comprehensive farm bill.
Challenges loom ahead for lawmakers; instead of a new farm bill, a straightforward extension may be more feasible due to time constraints and the complications arising from previous reconciliation efforts disrupting traditional coalitions. Callie Eideberg, a former Senate Agriculture Committee staffer, suggested that a simple extension could be integrated into larger legislative packages, such as an omnibus spending bill.
The urgency surrounding these legislative discussions reflects a shared commitment among agricultural leaders to secure lasting stability and support for U.S. agriculture amidst the current legislative environment.
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