By: John-Luc Richmond
The longest government shutdown in U.S. history ended on November 12th when Congress passed, and President Trump signed, a continuing resolution to temporarily fund the federal government through January 30, 2026. In addition to reopening the government, the measure extends the 2018 Farm Bill and provides funding for the USDA and its farm programs through September 30, 2026—though not without cuts to several key areas.
What Does the Extension Mean?
This marks the third extension of the Farm Bill, originally passed in 2018 and expired in 2023. While extensions allow federal farm and nutrition programs to continue operating while Congress negotiates, they also come with drawbacks. One-year extensions create uncertainty for farmers, reducing their ability to plan crop rotations, equipment purchases, and make insurance decisions with confidence. Extensions also delay needed updates to conservation programs, crop insurance policies, and other long-term agricultural initiatives that a new five-year Farm Bill would normally address.
What Is Included in This Extension?
The extension maintains the full range of programs originally authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, covering agriculture, nutrition assistance, conservation, and rural development. The extension will also maintain other important federal programs such as the Dairy Margin Coverage program, Conservation Reserve Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and other popular USDA programs. The extension provides $10 billion to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans and includes language prohibiting the closure of any FSA county offices, ensuring continued access to federal services in rural communities.
Conservation Cuts
There is some concern that the recent extension reinforces funding patterns that disproportionately benefit large farms while limiting access for small and mid-sized operations, particularly in conservation, technical assistance, and local food system support. For example, there is concern surrounding significant cuts to Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) funding. The recent extension includes a 9% cut to CTA, which supports NRCS field staff and cooperative agreements that deliver conservation planning, soil health education, and technical expertise to farmers and ranchers. Cuts of this nature can make it harder for smaller producers to implement conservation or climate-smart practices, widening existing gaps in program access.
What is Next?
Congress now has until September 30, 2026, to either pass a new Farm Bill or enact yet another extension of the 2018 legislation. The House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry are the primary committees responsible for drafting the Farm Bill. Constituents are encouraged to contact their representatives to push for a comprehensive new Farm Bill in 2026. Two Hoosier members currently serve on the House Agriculture Committee:
U.S. Representative Jim Baird – House Agriculture Committee
U.S. Representative Mark Messmer – House Agriculture Committee
Categories: Indiana General Assembly, Sustainable Agriculture