Today’s Harvest Blog

President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) into law over the July 4th holiday. In addition to the extension of the current individual tax rates, today’s blog, the second in a multi-part series will focus on some of the key individual provisions.

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) was signed into law over the July 4th holiday. The legislation, which passed the House on a 218-214 vote, generally extends, and in some cases amplifies, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for farmers. Today's blog is the first in a multi-part series explaining significant changes to agricultural safety net programs included in the bill.

As 2025 begins, the 119th Congress faces a busy start. Senate committees will hold nomination hearings for 24 cabinet-level positions, while Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warns of hitting the debt limit. The American Relief Act, 2025, extends government funding through March 14, 2025, and includes a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill. Brooke Rollins is nominated as Secretary of Agriculture, amidst hopes of passing the Farm Bill early in the year to address the decline in farm income.

The Farm Bill has been bogged down since the Fall while Congress has battled over funding the government. Given it’s an election year, Congressional leaders have acknowledged if the Farm Bill isn’t passed by mid-year, it will likely be extended for another year leaving it for the next Congress to complete. Several Farm Credit backed proposals have been introduced this Congress that would allow Farm Credit to lean into meeting the capital needs of rural America. The intent is for these “marker bills” to be included in the Farm Bill. Here is a summary of four of them.