Skip links
Learn More

What Is the Farm Bill?

Protecting America’s Food and Farmers

What Is the Farm Bill?

The farm bill is the most significant piece of legislation that affects farmers and ranchers across the country. It plays a critical role in protecting farmers’ livelihoods and making sure Americans have safe, nutritious food, including by supporting those facing hunger. The farm bill gives farmers and ranchers the tools they need to keep our farms and food supply secure in all seasons.   The farm bill funds nutrition programs like SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, as well as programs that support the U.S. agricultural sector, such as risk management, agricultural research and conservation programs. The farm bill is reauthorized every five years. Congress passed an extension of the 2018 farm bill, which will now expire on September 30, 2024. Congress must pass a modernized farm bill in order to fully protect our food, land and livelihoods.

Farm bill programs support rural infrastructure like broadband, which is critical to providing equitable education and health care for all Americans.

73%
73% of Americans recognize there would be a significant impact on the country if the farm bill is not reauthorized.
2M
There are more than 2 million farms in the United States, covering 880 million acres of land.
100M
Just 30 years ago, it would have taken 100 million more acres of farmland to match what U.S. farmers are growing today.
48M
Agriculture supports more than 48 million jobs in the U.S.
41M
The farm bill includes nutrition programs intended to ensure the most vulnerable among us have access to healthy, affordable food. There are 41 million individual SNAP participants.

Join Us

We are agricultural, environmental, forestry, nutrition and hunger organizations advocating for the farm bill to benefit America’s families and our future by:

1. Collaborating with partners and stakeholders who care about America’s farmers, the health of America’s natural resources, and the abundance of food, fiber and renewable fuels in our country. 2. Engaging the public on the importance of the farm bill through digital and media outreach.  3. Reaching out to members of Congress and staff, especially those new to the farm bill, to help them understand the bill’s significance and impact on every family in America.

Get Involved

Discover how you can help protect America’s food and farmers.

Learn More