Program Impacts of Farm Bill Expiration

The 2018 Farm Bill authority expired on September 30^th. Congress is working on Farm Bill reauthorization, but there is an increasing chance that a short, or longer term, extension may be passed. While many Farm Bill programs have funding through the end of the calendar year, a number of USDA programs are impacted by a lapse in authority. Most of these issues will not have a direct impact on GCCA members but could potentially impact others across the agriculture and food supply chain. Impacted programs include several organic programs to assist with organic transition, marketing, data and trade. Other impacts include the Conservation Reserve Program, which is not currently able to enter into new contracts and USDA is unable to accept new enrollments for the Price Loss Coverage and Agricultural Risk Coverage programs covering the 2024 crop year.  In addition, a ban prohibiting swipe fees on retailers who accept nutrition program benefit cards has expired, which could potentially raise costs for grocery stores and discourage them from participating in federal food assistance programs.