Legislative Analysis for Counties: Farm, Food, and National Security Act
Author
Owen Hart
Zeke Lee
Joe Jackson
Upcoming Events
Related News
As the governing authority over the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Farm Bill is critical for counties who are responsible for delivering and administering vital services to many of our nation’s vulnerable families. 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.
After months of negotiations, lawmakers on the House Committee on Agriculture advanced their version of the 2024 Farm Bill, dubbed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 (H.R. 8467), after a committee markup on May 23. The bipartisan legislative package passed 31-22 with full support from committee Republicans and four Democratic votes.
Thanks to NACo's advocacy efforts, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act includes 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 a three-year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program.
Resource
Primer for Counties: 2025 Farm Bill Reauthorization
Related News
U.S. Department of Agriculture announces reorganization
On July 24, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a major reorganization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will relocate thousands of federal employees, restructure regional offices and consolidate administrative services and operations. The changes are expected to reduce USDA’s footprint in Washington, D.C. and shift more personnel to regional hubs across the country.
NACo sends letter to USDOT urging support for county priorities in surface transportation reauthorization
On July 21, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) published a Request for Information to gather recommendations from stakeholders across transportation sectors as the agency works to develop its priorities for the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill.
Local government leaders meet with USDOT on surface transportation reauthorization
On August 15, NACo and the National Association of County Engineers (NACE), met with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to discuss county transportation and infrastructure priorities.