Farm Bureau Recaps Challenges and Successes of 2025
Joby Young
Executive Vice President
Chad Smith
Associate News Service Editor, NAFB
photo credit: AFBF Photo
Joby Young
Executive Vice President
Chad Smith
Associate News Service Editor, NAFB
As 2025 draws to a close, Chad Smith has a look back on some of the key moments for U.S. agriculture.
Smith: The past year included many challenges for U.S. agriculture and the organizations that work to influence positive policy for farmers and ranchers. Joby Young, the executive vice president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said despite the challenges, there were still some big wins for U.S. agriculture.
Young: The first I think of is the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act and the tax provisions that were in that. The One Big, Beautiful Bill also had about 80 percent of the farm bill programs covered in that legislation. We had the Adverse Effect Wage Rate update. The Waters of the U.S. rule we saw just a couple of weeks ago. This was proposed by the administration to bring in that certainty and clarity to the Clean Water Act.
Smith: AFBF expects to have a lot on its plate in 2026, with many of the policy priorities set during the upcoming annual convention.
Young: The first thing that I'm thinking about is the fact that we have more work to do on that bridge payment program. They recognize that more assistance is needed. Work on finding a legislative vehicle to pass that other 20 percent of the farm bill. Another project we're working on right here is year-round E15.
Smith: Young said he’s grateful to witness firsthand the power of farmers and ranchers using a unified voice to advocate for their communities.
Young: Everybody's going through tough times, and yet these Farm Bureau members and leaders across the country do such a great job of telling their story and bringing those issues forward and making sure that policy makers know what's needed out here and how we're going to continue to succeed in agriculture.
Smith: Chad Smith, Washington.
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