WHITEPAPER

The 2023 Farm Bill: Part One

THE FUTURE OF U.S. FARM POLICY

The U.S. Farm Bill is a multiyear legislative package with key programs and initiatives to provide food for low-income households and support the American Farmer’s ability to feed a growing population.

In a rapidly changing world, the Farm Bill is an essential part of ensuring America’s domestic food system remains resilient. AgAmerica’s whitepaper, The 2023 Farm Bill: What to Expect for the Future of American Ag Policy, is part one of a two-part farm publication series. In this whitepaper, you will find insights from Chief Economist Dr. John Penson and Dr. Cliff Shelton as they discuss the 12 Farm Bill titles, share firsthand farmer insight, and provide policy considerations for each major Farm Bill title.

A LOOK INSIDE THE BILL

The 12 Farm Bill Titles

Commodities

Added in 2014 during a period of low commodity prices.
Includes programs like Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ALC).
Accounted for seven percent of 2018 Farm Bill funding but varies depending on the market.

Conservation

Added to Farm Bill in 1985.
Accounted for seven percent of funding in the 2018 Farm Bill.
Divided into five categories: Working lands, land retirement, easements, loans and grants, and compliance.

Trade

Focuses on international food assistance programs like Food for Peace (FFP).
Provides export credit guarantees through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).

Nutrition

Added to the Farm Bill in 1973.
Estimated to account for approximately 80 percent of the 2023 Farm Bill.
This Farm Bill title covers key affordable food programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Credit

First included as its own Farm Bill title in the 1990s.
New provisions were added in 2014 to support beginning farmers.
Programs under the Credit Farm Bill Title are essential, especially during periods of tight credit conditions.

Rural Development

First included in the Farm Bill in the 1990s.
Supports business expansion, infrastructure development, and healthcare initiatives in rural communities.
Rural healthcare shortages and broadband connectivity issues are at the forefront of rural development.

Research

One of the original Farm Bill titles, originating from the Morrill Land Grant Act of 1862.
Many believe this Farm Bill title is woefully underfunded.
Biological advancements, automated mechanizations, food safety and security, and climate change are among the top requests for research and technical support for farmers.

Forestry

Added to the Farm Bill in 2002.
Federal forest management is critical to mitigating wildfire risk.
Promoting forest stewardship and advancing forestry science both domestically and internationally falls under this Farm Bill title.

Energy

Added to the Farm Bill in 2002.
Programs under this title typically promote the use of crops for biofuel.
Major initiatives include corn-based ethanol, wind farms, and anaerobic digesters.
Fortifying investment in these activities helps generate economic development in rural areas, improve environmental conditions, and enhance energy security.

Horticulture

Added to the Farm Bill in 2008.
This title covers farmers markets, local food programs, organic farming certification programs, and more.
COVID-related supply chain disruptions and worker shortages are among the top challenges facing this industry right now.

Crop Insurance

A valuable financial risk management service for farmers that was added to the 1938 Farm Bill.
Insured 450 million acres under the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) in 2021.
Accounted for nine percent of total funding in the 2018 Farm Bill.

Miscellaneous

Added in the 2014 Farm Bill as a catch-all category for remaining Farm Bill topics.
Issues that fall under this title include animal welfare, military veteran programs, underserved farmer initiatives, and more.

The Four Major Farm Bill Titles

Legislative Considerations for U.S. Policymakers

Title 1: Commodities

Adjust reference prices
Improve process delays
Review payment options

Title 2: Conservation

Title 4: Nutrition

Title 11: Crop Insurance

Policymaker Summary Sheet

Ensure the voice of agriculture is heard. Download the full policymaker summary sheet to learn more about what major action items lawmakers should keep in mind for the 2023 Farm Bill.

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I think all the uncertainty in the markets is going to drive us more towards a Farm Bill where a little bit of every topic is on the table—where we’re fundamentally considering market uncertainty, trade uncertainty, and input price uncertainty. We’re in this environment of teetering between evolution and revolution that I think will be a real challenge.

Chuck Conner, CEO of National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC)

One of the asks that I would have as we construct this new Farm Bill is to remember that one size does not fit all. The key to getting farmer adaptation to all of this is flexibility.

Tom Willis, Kansas Farmer

Between 2010 and 2020, just 31 percent of farmers who applied to EQIP and 42 percent of those who applied to CSP were awarded contracts. We need to adequately fund these programs and ensure they are flexible enough to accommodate this country’s needs.

Jake Isley, Michigan farmer

Not all farm programs and conservation programs in particular fit everybody. One glove doesn’t fit everybody. So, I think that’s something that needs to be considered in this upcoming Farm Bill as well.

Ronnie Russel, Missouri Farmer & Executive Committee Member of the American Soybean Association

The federal crop insurance program must be reformed to encourage farmers to adapt to a rapidly changing climate before costs spiral even more out of control.