Farm Bill Update

Now that the 2024 Appropriations process has been completed, Congress is expected to turn its attention to the 2024 Farm Bill when it returns to work following the Easter recess. 

Farm bills are huge “omnibus” laws that provide policy and appropriations authority for a wide range of agricultural and food programs. These bills are generally passed every five years. The last farm bill (the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, P.L. 115-334) was set to expire on September 30, 2023. 

In November, 2023, after the 2018 farm bill had expired, Congress extended most of its programs through September 30, 2024, in the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act (P.L. 118-22). Farm commodity and dairy support programs were extended through December 31, 2024. Some conservation programs, including the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) had already been extended to September 30, 2031, by the Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169). 

There have been a number of “marker bills” proposed for sections of the 2024 Farm Bill. However, to date, there have been no markups or floor action on the bill. Congress is scheduled to return to Washington on April 8