2024 Farm Bill Negotiations: Surveying the State of Play

After months of negotiations, lawmakers on the House and Senate Agriculture Committees have released competing frameworks for the 2024 Farm Bill. The $1.5 trillion legislative package authorizes a suite of programs that help counties make critical investments in infrastructure, economic development, workforce training, nutrition and conservation within some of our nation's most underserved communities. Thanks to NACo's advocacy efforts, both proposals include key wins for county governments, including increased funding for rural development programs, certain improvements to federal nutrition programs, more robust support for new and beginning farmers, the expansion of key land management authorities to county governments and in the House version, a three-year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program, or SRS. Attendees will gain key insights into the current state of negotiations on the Farm Bill and the future trajectory for this must-pass legislation.