by Emily Cabrera, University of Georgia

While its title may seem to imply it only affects farmers, the U.S. Farm Bill  is a complex piece of legislation that affects everyone — whether you buy groceries, care about conservation or rely on nutrition programs. Yet, despite its broad reach, it remains one of the most misunderstood laws in the country.

University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension ag economist Amanda Smith, a faculty member in UGA’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, breaks down some of the most common questions about this complex but crucial bill.

In a nutshell, what is the Farm Bill?

In response to the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, the first Farm Bill, called the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933, was introduced to stabilize ag markets by addressing the sharp decline in U.S. crop prices. It established programs to reduce surpluses and raise crop prices, providing much-needed relief to struggling farmers.

Updated every five years, farm bills have since evolved into massive legislative packages that shape policies on everything from crop insurance and soil and water conservation programs to food assistance and rural development, Smith explains.

The Farm Bill shapes daily life in ways many people don’t realize, connecting the food on our plates, the farmers and ranchers who produce it, and the natural resources that sustain agriculture and local economies.

At the end of each five-year cycle, the bill undergoes an extensive review process, with updates proposed, debated and passed by Congress, and then signed into law by the president. Each farm bill has a unique title. The current version, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, was enacted in December 2018 and was scheduled to expire in 2023. However, two extensions have been granted due to legislative delays, pushing the next renewal deadline to Sept. 30, 2025.

Why does this bill matter?

“Among many things, farm bills serve as a critical safety net, stepping in when market conditions fail to provide farmers with adequate income,” says Smith, faculty in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES). “While most farmers prefer to earn their living through the market rather than government assistance, these programs ensure agriculture remains viable during economic downturns.”

Understanding this multifaceted bill isn’t just important for farmers. The Farm Bill shapes daily life in ways many people don’t realize, connecting the food on our plates, the farmers and ranchers who produce it and the natural resources that sustain agriculture and local economies.

Can you break down the Farm Bill into parts?

Each chapter of the Farm Bill  is called a title. While the focus of each shifts over time, the current bill consists of the following 12 titles:

How does the Farm Bill shape food prices and availability?

The Farm Bill plays a direct role in food pricing and production.

“One way it keeps food affordable is through agricultural research funding,” Smith says. “Land is limited, and as populations continue to grow, producers have to figure out how to do more with less.”

Farm Bill-funded research has led to major advancements in crop yields and efficiency, keeping U.S. food prices lower than those in many other countries.

“For example, in 2023, the average U.S. consumer spent 11.2% of their disposable income on food, compared to 14.6% in Italy and over 40% in some African nations,” Smith says.

A common misconception is that the Farm Bill primarily funds subsidies for farmers, Smith says. “In reality, most of its funding supports nutrition programs, such as SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), the National School Lunch Program, and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. These programs help ensure food security for low-income families while creating demand for agricultural products like fresh produce, dairy and peanut butter.”

Considering recent natural disasters and global food chain disruptions, how does the bill provide critical support for long-term sustainability of agriculture?

Beyond affordability and research, Smith says, the bill provides an important financial safety net for farmers.

“Agriculture operates within a perfectly competitive market, meaning long-term profits tend to be zero. However, without farmers, there would be no food or fiber production,” she explains.

To keep farmers in business, the Farm Bill  includes Title I commodity programs like Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC). These programs help farmers manage price volatility and revenue losses. Since market prices are unpredictable, these protections are essential to maintaining financial stability in agriculture.

However, some challenges persist.

“PLC and ARC programs are still using outdated 2018 price benchmarks despite rising input costs,” Smith says. “While falling commodity prices have triggered payments for some crops like peanuts and cotton, they have not for corn and soybeans, leading to calls for updated policies. Additionally, high fertilizer and fuel costs have squeezed farm margins, making it harder for farmers to stay afloat.”

What does the future of the Farm Bill look like?

In June 2024, the Congressional Budget Office released updated estimates for Farm Bill spending during the next decade. From fiscal years 2025 to 2034, total spending is projected to reach $1.364 trillion, with the majority — about $1.099 trillion (roughly 81%) — allocated to nutrition programs.

As the 2018 Farm Bill  is set to expire Sept. 30, lawmakers face mounting pressure to finalize its renewal while balancing shifting priorities.