Farmers Set the Course for 2026 Policy

When farmers and ranchers come together, they don’t just talk about challenges—they get to work finding solutions. That’s exactly what happened at our 107th American Farm Bureau Convention in Anaheim, California, where farmers from across the country gathered to set Farm Bureau’s policy for the year ahead. That policy was shaped by real conversations about tight margins, rising costs, labor shortages and the uncertainty many farm families are facing right now.

As a farmer myself, I don’t have to imagine those challenges. I see them firsthand. And I hear the same concerns everywhere I go. That’s why Farm Bureau’s 2026 policy is focused on making sure farmers have the tools, certainty and support they need to keep going—today and for generations to come.

2026 Policy and the FARM 250 Vision

This year’s policy discussions come at a significant moment as our nation approaches its 250th anniversary. This milestone also provides an opportunity to reflect on agriculture’s role in building our country. Agriculture remains just as essential to America’s strength today as it was at our founding.

Yet farmers continue to face mounting challenges that make long-term planning difficult. That’s why Farm Bureau is launching FARM 250, an effort grounded in four pillars that reflect both our history and our future: Feeding families, Advancing innovation, Rural resilience, and Mindful stewardship. The policy adopted in Anaheim aligns with those pillars and reflects a commitment to long-term stability, not short-term fixes.

Farm Bureau’s 2026 Policy, Set by Farmers

Right now, the farm economy is under real pressure. Low margins, high input costs, and lingering losses from weather and market disruptions have pushed many farm families to the edge. In Anaheim, farmers made it clear that short-term relief is still needed, especially for those whose losses haven’t been fully addressed. That’s why a top priority is working with Congress and the administration to deliver additional bridge support for farmers who are still struggling.

But we also know that stability doesn’t come from temporary fixes alone. We need a new, multi-year farm bill to address outdated loan limits, invest in research and advance conservation and rural development programs, among many other critical priorities.

Labor remains one of the most pressing challenges facing agriculture. It’s what I hear most often when I meet with farmers across the country. No matter the region or the crop, farmers are feeling the strain of an outdated system that doesn’t reflect the realities of modern agriculture. Our 2026 policy calls for meaningful reforms that modernize agriculture labor programs.

Trade is just as essential to farm viability. Expanding market access and enforcing existing trade commitments are critical for long-term growth. Farmers depend on strong export markets, and Farm Bureau will continue urging the administration to finalize market-opening trade agreements, challenge unfair trade barriers and ensure American agriculture remains competitive on the global stage.

Farmers are also clear about what they need from Washington when it comes to regulation: clarity, consistency and policies grounded in science. Farmers care deeply about the land, water and resources they steward every day. Regulations should support both environmental stewardship and economic sustainability.

That same clarity matters when discussions turn to food and health policy. Farmers want a seat at the table to share how our food is grown, safely and sustainably. Our policy supports transparency, science-based standards and a food system that values both farmer livelihoods and consumer well-being.

Strong farms also depend on strong rural infrastructure. That includes expanded broadband access and continued investment in agricultural research through land-grant universities. Farmers also emphasized the importance of strengthening the supply chain—from processing capacity to market transparency—while promoting greater use of U.S.-grown biofuels, including year-round E15.

Conservation remains a core value for farmers, and it works best when it’s voluntary, incentive-based and farmer-led. Farmers are already leaders in conservation, and our policy reinforces that environmental sustainability must go hand-in-hand with economic viability. Farm Bureau will continue advocating for conservation programs that are grounded in sound science, flexible enough to work across diverse operations and supportive of farmers who are committed to caring for their land.

Grassroots Voices Driving Farm Bureau’s 2026 Advocacy

At the end of the day, our policy reflects the voices of farmers and ranchers who understand what’s at stake. It is shaped by grassroots delegates who step up, speak out and help chart the course for the year ahead.

That grassroots foundation will guide our advocacy in 2026 as we work to ensure America’s farmers can continue producing the food, fiber and renewable fuel our country depends on. I’m proud to stand with farmers and ranchers who are shaping the policies that will define the future of agriculture.