Author: maggie13654

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What the “Big Beautiful Bill” and FY2026 Appropriations Mean for the Farm Bill

maggie13654

In 2025, Congress did not pass a traditional five-year farm bill. Instead, major pieces of farm and food policy moved through two different tracks: a large budget reconciliation bill, commonly referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and the FY2026 appropriations process.

Together, these actions reshaped the farm bill landscape, but they did not replace a full farm bill reauthorization.

What the One Big Beautiful Bill Did

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed through budget reconciliation in mid-2025, included several provisions that are typically handled in a farm bill. Because reconciliation can only include policies that directly affect federal spending or revenue, the bill focused on mandatory programs, including:

  • Changes to commodity programs and the farm safety net
  • Adjustments to crop insurance and disaster assistance
  • Major changes to nutrition programs, including SNAP

While these provisions addressed some of the largest budget items normally included in a farm bill, they left out many smaller, discretionary, or policy-based programs that do not fit reconciliation rules. In effect, reconciliation handled part of the farm bill, but definitely not the whole thing.

In a nutshell, the OBBBA circumvented a bi-partisan farm bill process, because the majority party could pass budget reconciliation along party lines, whereas a farm bill would have needed bipartisan support. That has put us where we are now, with a grim outlook for passing a farm bill.

What the FY2026 Appropriations Package Did

Separately, Congress used the FY2026 appropriations process to keep USDA and related programs operating. That package included a temporary extension of the 2018 Farm Bill, preventing many programs from expiring outright.

This extension allowed a wide range of farm bill programs—including conservation, rural development, research, local food systems, and market development programs—to continue operating while Congress debates what comes next.

However: This Is a Temporary Extension

Importantly, this funding and authorization only extend through September 30, 2026 for many farm bill programs.

That means:

  • Many programs are operating under short-term extensions, not long-term certainty.
  • Programs not fully addressed in the reconciliation bill still require congressional action to continue beyond FY2026.
  • Without a new farm bill or another extension, many programs could face funding cliffs or policy uncertainty again next year.

In short, the combination of reconciliation and appropriations kept key programs running—but it did not deliver the stability that a comprehensive farm bill normally provides.

Why This Matters for Farmers and Communities

This piecemeal approach creates uneven certainty across agriculture. Large, mandatory programs received multi-year changes through reconciliation, while many programs that smaller and mid-scale farms rely on, such as local and regional food systems, rural development, research, and technical assistance, remain in a holding pattern.

As discussions continue around a potential “skinny” follow-on farm bill or future extensions, farmers and rural communities are once again navigating uncertainty about how long critical programs will last.

Here is some further reading on the status of the farm bill, many of which were references for this blog:

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Hill View Farms Market serves up local food for everyone

maggie13654

Jim Gilles grew up in Owensboro, KY, where his family raised beef cattle.  When he came back to the family farm, he noticed customers wanted access to locally raised beef, but many hesitated to buy a half or quarter of beef.  Not everyone could afford or store that much meat at once. So, he started selling individual cuts of beef at Owensboro Regional Farmers Market on Saturdays during the summers.

What started with his own beef soon expanded to raising chickens and incorporating pork, milk, and cheese from other farmers alongside his market offerings.  By 2016, seasonal Saturdays had expanded into a year-round, on-farm retail store carrying milk, cheese, pork, and produce. Today, Hill View Farms Market a reliable place for people to pick up products from more than 20 local farms. 

Setting up an on-farm store started when a vacant house on the farm became available.  Jim and his family had considered renting it, but they decided to take a chance and turn it into a storefront instead. “We didn’t have anything to lose,” Jim said. “If it didn’t work, we’d just fall back on renting the house out.”

Happily, the on-farm store worked.  As Hill View gained traction and a loyal customer base, Jim added SNAP as a payment option around five years ago. He knew the importance of making local food more accessible and saw how programs like Kentucky Double Dollars (KDD) helped shoppers stretch their benefits at the farmers market. benefits used at the market.

When he heard CFA would be piloting on-farm markets and roadside stands, Jim was excited to sign on. In 2025, Hill View Farms Market began offering Kentucky Double Dollars to allow SNAP customers to double up to $20 of their

“I kind of knew what I was getting into,” he said, having seen the program in action at the Owensboro Regional Farmers Market. He worked closely with CFA staff to understand the required reporting and design a system that fit how Hill View already operated. “Honestly, getting SNAP was more difficult than figuring out how to do KDD at the store.”

Using a simple voucher system—dated and tracked with stubs—Hill View began offering KDD, making it easier for SNAP shoppers to return, redeem vouchers, and buy more.

“It helped folks who use SNAP to come to the store more often and buy more,” Jim explained.

Hill View’s SNAP sales continue to grow gradually, and the store is committed to welcoming more shoppers who want fresh, local food from Kentucky farms.

For other farm stores considering the program, Hill View’s experience shows that with the right support, it’s possible to make KDD work for on-farm retail, too—not just for farmers markets. If you have a farm market or roadside stand and are interested in offering incentives, check out Kentucky Double Dollars here: https://kentuckydoubledollars.org/retailer-or-farm-stand-information/.  CFA can can work with you to accept SNAP if you are interested!

Learn more about Hill View Farms Market here: https://www.hillviewfarmsmeats.com/

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Central Appalachian Family Farm Fund: Local Relief, Rooted in Partnership

maggie13654

When a devastating EF-4 tornado tore through Laurel, Pulaski, and Russell Counties earlier this year, family farms across the region faced a familiar reality: being first to feel the impact, and often last in line for recovery resources.

At Community Farm Alliance (CFA), we leaned into the relationships we’ve built over decades—because in times of crisis, it’s community connections that move fastest.

Through the Central Appalachian Family Farm Fund (CAFFF), and with the support of the Sassafras Collective and the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, CFA helped coordinate relief for those hardest hit. The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky managed the fund, while CFA led outreach and supported the application process with the help of our trusted partners on the ground.

Extension offices in Laurel, Pulaski, and Russell Counties played a key role in helping us reach farmers quickly and equitably. Together, we focused on a simple goal: get direct assistance to people who needed it—without red tape.

By the Numbers:

  • $82,800 in grants distributed to 22 farms
  • Total estimated damages: $2.7 million
  • Estimated 2025 income loss: $786,000
  • 13 farms experienced total loss of barns or structures
  • 14 farms had major equipment losses
  • 18 farms dealt with severe debris in their fields and pastures; all hay growers lost their first cutting

How It Worked

The relief effort was grounded in trust, local knowledge, and collaboration. CFA staff and partners worked directly with affected communities to identify needs, support applications, and coordinate next steps. This wasn’t just about recovery—it was about standing with farm families as they navigated uncertainty and worked to rebuild.

This process also surfaced deeper, long-term needs:

  • Gaps in emergency assistance for small and mid-sized farms
  • The vulnerability of infrastructure and equipment
  • The critical role of local networks in disaster response

These are not new challenges, but the storm brought them into sharper focus and reaffirmed the importance of continued investment in rural resilience.

Thank You to Our Partners

This fund was made possible by the Sassafras Collective, the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, and the ongoing dedication of the county extension offices in Laurel, Pulaski, and Russell Counties, as well as Grow Appalachia, Extension Agents, farmers, Cowan Community Action Group, and KCARD for helping identify farmers and serve on the review committee.

What’s Next

As we look ahead, CFA remains committed to:

  • Supporting ongoing recovery in these counties
  • Advocating for stronger safety nets for family farms
  • Building infrastructure that’s prepared for whatever comes next

We know that when local organizations work together, solutions take root faster—and deeper.

Want to support this work? Donate here

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Health Starts with Food—But Policy Shapes the Plate

maggie13654

The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement is making waves in health policy circles—from national think tanks to proposed legislation in Kentucky’s upcoming session. At its core, MAHA promotes access to fresh, nutritious food and community-level health improvements—but what that actually looks like in practice is still evolving.

At Community Farm Alliance, we’re watching MAHA’s developments carefully. Because while headlines may focus on individual choice, we know from years of work that choice only matters when there are real, affordable options available.

Why It Matters for CFA Programs

Programs like Kentucky Double Dollars (KDD) prove that nutrition incentives can lead to long-term, community-wide health improvements:

  • 91% of participants report eating fewer processed foods
  • 82% report better digestive health
  • 80% report greater nutritional awareness
  • 64% report weight loss

These aren’t just numbers—they’re real-life outcomes driven by public investment and community partnerships.

MAHA’s proposals include Farm to School programs, soil health initiatives, and expanded SNAP incentives—all of which mirror pieces of CFA’s on-the-ground work. But for these ideas to succeed, rural leaders, farmers, and advocates must speak up.

Proceed with Hope—and a Critical Eye

There is potential here—but there’s also risk. Without thoughtful implementation and adequate funding, MAHA-style initiatives could reinforce disparities or overlook the real needs of rural and farming communities.

That’s why we’re tracking this movement closely. We’ll continue advocating for approaches that center Kentucky farmers and communities, not just policy optics.

Let’s stay in this together. Sign up to receive updates or share how proposed health policies affect you.


Get involved with CFA and join our Action Alerts for advocacy options!

Read the MAHA Children’s Recommendations

Read the draft KY MAHA strategies

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From Farm to Frankfort: How Policy Moves in Kentucky and What CFA Is Fighting For in 2026

maggie13654

The 2026 Kentucky General Assembly session begins January 6 and is scheduled to end on April 15. This 60-day session includes a veto period in late March and ends with “Sine Die” (the final day for any legislative action).

Want to follow a bill or speak up? Here’s a quick primer:

  • Bills must pass both the House and Senate and be signed by the Governor—or passed again after a veto.
  • The veto period (10 days) allows time for the Governor to review or reject bills before final adjournment.
  • Sine Die marks the end of the session. After this point, no new laws can be passed until 2027.

If you’re wondering how policy relates to your farm, this year’s CFA priorities highlight that connection clearly:

Important Legislative Dates 2026

CFA’s 2026 Legislative Priorities:

1. Poultry Processing Reform:
Allowing small poultry growers to use the federal 1,000-bird exemption for in-state sales. This helps shorten supply chains, reduce transport costs, and expand local markets.

2. Heirs Property Protections:
Advocating for full adoption of the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act (UPHPA) to help keep family land in family hands—especially in rural and Appalachian counties.

3. Soil Health Investment:
Pushing for a statewide Healthy Soils Program that offers technical assistance, conservation planning, and long-term productivity solutions for Kentucky’s farmers.

Want to see how it all fits together or share your story with legislators?


Watch the recorded webinar


And reach out to CFA to learn how to become an advocate for your farm and your community.