WASHINGTON — The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) issued the following statement regarding the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 released by House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson.
“The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance commends Chairman Thompson and his staff for advancing the farm bill process and including key provisions that would enhance the competitiveness of the family farms that produce specialty crops across the United States. This legislation builds on critical investments made by H.R. 1 last year, closely aligns with the priorities of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, and includes some of the most significant enhancements to specialty crop programs in years.
“At a time when our producers confront unprecedented economic challenges, we are grateful that the Chairman’s bill would require the United States Department of Agriculture to create the first-ever Specialty Crop Emergency Assistance Framework. Based on the widely successful CFAP-2 and MASC programs, this framework would establish the parameters of a unique payment structure to compensate specialty crop producers in times of need. Not included in the 2024 version of this legislation, this provision is another clear signal that specialty crops are fundamentally different than row crops and need their own program at USDA for delivering economic aid.
“Enacting a full five-year farm bill is critical to the continued sustainability of American agriculture and the communities specialty crop producers serve.”
The SCFBA is co-chaired by Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association; Mike Joyner, President of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Dave Puglia, President and CEO of Western Growers; and Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council.
The full text of the bill can be found here.
Chairman Thompson Statement
House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) released the following statement after releasing the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026:
“A new farm bill is long overdue, and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 is an important step forward in providing certainty to our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. We made historic agricultural investments last summer in the Working Families Tax Cuts (H.R. 1), but there are many key policy components that remain to be addressed. With that in mind, the House Committee on Agriculture will begin marking up a new farm bill February 23.
“This bill provides modern policies for modern challenges and is shaped by years of listening to the needs of farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans. The farm bill affects our entire country, regardless of whether you live on a farm, and I look forward to seeing my colleagues in Congress work together to get this critical legislation across the finish line.”