Farm Bill - Page 1

U.S. House Passes Farm Bill 2.0, Pesticide 'Liability Shield' Removed

By John Dobberstein posted on April 30, 2026 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs, Soil Health

The version approved Thursday removed controversial language that would have prohibited states and courts from, “penalizing or holding liable entities for failing to comply with requirements that would require labeling or packaging that is in addition to or different from the labeling or packaging approved by the EPA administrator.”

U.S. House Committee Releases Draft of New Farm Bill

By John Dobberstein posted on February 17, 2026 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs, Soil Health

The Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, being referred to by some as “farm bill 2.0,” addresses provisions that weren’t included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was passed last summer under budget reconciliation rules.

Where is Our Generation’s 'Farm Aid'?

By John Dobberstein posted on November 27, 2025 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs

Our government hasn’t adequately adapted to the changing realities of global trade. There needs to be more serious discussion in Washington about what practices our government chooses to incentivize.

Picture Improves in Washington for Hike in Conservation Funding

By John Dobberstein posted on June 12, 2025 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs

The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry released legislative text for the budget reconciliation package that the committee says will “rein in runaway spending” in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and promote an invest in “rural America and America’s farm families.”

Rollins Vows Action on Farm Bill, says Farmers and Ranchers are ‘Best Conservationists’ at Hearing

By John Dobberstein posted on January 23, 2025

The plight of U.S. farmers -- who are facing low crop prices, high input cost and interest rates, and consecutive natural disasters – is clearly on the minds of the Senate members, as is the current $45 billion agricultural trade deficit and failure by Congress to reauthorize the Farm Bill last year.

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How to Climate-Proof Crops: Scientists Say the Secret’s in the Dirt

Evidence is building that regenerative agriculture boosts soil health, which, in turn, could bolster food security.

November 7, 2024 | Posted in Investing in Regenerative Ag, Soil Health

Source: Nature.com

Evidence is building that regenerative agriculture boosts soil health, which, in turn, could bolster food security.

Proposed NRCS Change to Cover Crop Guidelines Brings Protests

April 14, 2021 | Posted in Termination

An adjustment of conservation standards by the NRCS could prohibit growers from mechanically harvesting cover crops for seed, hay, silage or biomass, potentially hamstringing dairies who rely on covers for additional or emergency forage.

From the Desk of John Dobberstein

D.C. Compromises Not Helping the Soil Health Movement

By John Dobberstein posted on May 9, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

While some important progress was made in the recent Farm Bill regarding soil health and cover crop management, a recent article detailed an important omission that will still impact many farmers’ wallets.

Crop Insurance Confusion with Cover Crops May Fade Away

By John Dobberstein posted on December 27, 2018 | Posted in Soil Health

Read on to learn about changes ushered in by the recently approved Farm Bill that should make cover crops a more attractive conservation tool for no-tillers.