House Passes Farm Bill with Serious Flaws; ASBN Calls on Senate to Chart a Different Course

The American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) acknowledges the passage of the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026” by the U.S. House of Representatives and is urging the Senate to draft a version that reflects the needs of farmers, businesses, and rural communities.

While ASBN has urged the House to reconsider a number of harmful provisions, many of which were included in this bill, there is one clear and important development worth recognizing. During House consideration, Amendment #28 removed a set of pesticide-related provisions that would have expanded federal preemption of state and local authority and limited states’ ability to hold pesticide manufacturers accountable. ASBN views this outcome as a meaningful win for farmers, businesses, and communities, and a clear example of what sustained, cross-sector engagement can achieve.

That said, the broader House-passed bill still moves in the wrong direction on several core issues shaping the future of the food and agriculture economy:

1. It includes significant reductions in conservation investment, including more than $1 billion in cuts to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
2. The bill continues to concentrate resources among the largest agribusiness operations rather than strengthening diversified and mid-sized producers, which are central to rural economic stability, competitive markets, and long-term resilience.
3. It further restricts state and local flexibility by preempting certain food and agriculture policies that have helped create market opportunities, support public health, and reflect regional priorities. For businesses operating across multiple markets, this introduces additional uncertainty and reduces the ability to respond to local conditions and consumer demand.

Despite growing market demand and continued private-sector investment in more sustainable and diversified production systems, the bill does not make meaningful new investments in local and regional food systems, organic agriculture, or regenerative practices. Instead, it reinforces conditions that leave farmers and businesses more exposed to input cost volatility, supply chain disruptions, and climate-related risk.

Importantly, this is not a final outcome.

The Senate is expected to develop its own version of the Farm Bill. As recent weeks have shown, including the removal of harmful pesticide provisions during House consideration, sustained engagement from businesses, farmers, and advocates continues to influence what is possible in this process.

ASBN will continue this engagement through an upcoming Policy Forum focused on what the House passage signals for the next phase of the Farm Bill process and where opportunities remain to shape the Senate debate.