Farm Bill Reauthorization Resource Hub
Explore NACo resources, stay up-to-date on the state of play and advocate for key county priorities in the Farm Bill
Counties and the Farm Bill
The Farm Bill plays a vital role in supporting counties as they deliver essential services to residents and visitors. This $1.5 trillion legislative package enables counties to make key investments in infrastructure, economic development, workforce training, nutrition, and conservation, with a special focus on our nation’s most underserved communities.
This hub provides essential information, tools, and advocacy opportunities to help county leaders and communities fully understand the Farm Bill’s impact—from agriculture and nutrition to rural development, conservation, public land stewardship, and more. Equip your county with the knowledge needed to actively engage in the legislative process and ensure that the voices of your residents are at the forefront in shaping this critical legislation.
By the Numbers
1.89 million
farms across the U.S. benefit from Farm Bill programs
$16.8 billion
invested in USDA Rural Development Programs in 2023 through the Farm Bill
42.6 million
county residents receive nutrition benefits through the Farm Bill
What's Happening in Congress?
On August 6, the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee held a markup of the Agricultural Act of 2026, the Senate's version of the 2026 Farm Bill. However, the committee failed to advance the bill out of committee with a 10-11 vote on party lines. After announcing a recess, Senate Agriculture Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) is expected to reconvene the committee in September to continue negotiations and consideration of the bill.
NACo Advocacy
Both the House and Senate Farm Bill proposals include several county priorities related to rural development, forestry, conservation and other areas. NACo continues to advocate for these priorities to be reflected in the final Farm Bill while working with Congress to address county concerns to ensure a strong, bipartisan package.
Read NACo Legislative Analysis
Current SNAP Advocacy
One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) (P.L. 119-21) changed the funding structure of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), making changes to the benefit and administrative cost shares required by states and counties. In the ten states where counties administer SNAP, these cost shifts are especially salient and threaten local budgets.
NACo continues to urge the final Farm Bill to include a delay of these administrative and benefit cost shifts to allow counties time to improve systems, decrease payment error rates, and prepare for administrative cost changes without further penalizing states and localities.
County Action Needed
Reach out to your Senator today
Call your Senator and urge the passage of a bipartisan farm bill with a clean, straightforward H.R. 1 SNAP implementation delay.
Customizable SNAP Template Letter to Congress Contact your Member of Congress
Primer for Counties: 2026 Farm Bill Reauthorization
Administered by the USDA, the U.S. Farm Bill helps counties make critical investments in infrastructure, economic development, workforce training, nutrition and conservation within some of our nation’s most underserved communities.
Legislative Analysis for Counties: Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567)
On April 30, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the House version of the 2026 Farm Bill, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567), by a vote of 224–200.
Legislative Toolkit for Counties: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
This toolkit provides an overview of the county role in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), federal policy priorities for ensuring SNAP is effectively serving county residents and the current legislative and administrative outlook for program reforms.
NACo Primer for Counties: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Agricultural Land
Foreign ownership of agricultural land is receiving increasing attention from Capitol Hill and state and county governments across the country. This report delves into the current trends in foreign ownership of agricultural land in the United States and provides a survey of the state and federal legislative landscape on this issue, with a particular focus on the implications for county governments.
Support County Priorities as Congress Works Toward 2026 Farm Bill
Urge your members of Congress to support the inclusion of key county priorities in the 2026 Farm Bill.
NACo Contacts
Rachel Yeung
