The New York Farm Bureau is praising the approval of a new federal farm bill by the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, calling it an important step for farmers in New York and across the country.
The committee approved the legislation, formally titled the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, early Thursday by a 34–17 vote. The measure received bipartisan support, with seven Democrats voting in favor, including Josh Riley, a Democrat who represents New York’s 19th Congressional District.
According to the Farm Bureau, the bill includes several provisions aimed at supporting agriculture, including funding for specialty crop research, expanded offerings through the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, and additional resources for new, young, beginning and veteran farmers.
The legislation also includes provisions focused on dairy production costs, additional resources to detect plant and animal diseases at ports of entry, and continued funding for the national Roll-Over Protection Structures rebate program, which helps farmers install tractor safety equipment.
In a statement, David Fisher said the committee’s action provides momentum toward giving farmers more certainty.
“This is an important step toward delivering certainty for not only New York farmers, but also for farmers across the United States,” Fisher said. “But there is still work to be done. We encourage farmers to reach out to their members of Congress to vote in favor of the Farm Bill, and I thank everyone who has already voiced their support.”
The bill now moves to the full U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. If approved, it would then head to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry before potentially going to the full Senate, where 60 votes would be needed for passage.
The New York Farm Bureau is the state’s largest agricultural advocacy organization and represents farmers across New York.
