Cornfield to Capitol: Farm Bill 2025

Protecting Farmers, Driving Demand

Every five years, Congress negotiates the Farm Bill—the most important piece of legislation that shapes farmers’ bottom lines. For corn farmers, the 2025 Farm Bill will determine programs from crop insurance safety nets to market expanding programs for exports.

What’s at stake for corn in the Farm Bill?

• Crop Insurance: A key tool for risk management, especially in a low-price market
• Conservation Programs: Opportunities for funding farming practices that align with Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) while protecting flexibility for farmers
• Trade and Market Development: Market Access Program (MAP)/ Foreign Market Development (FMD) programs that open international trade for corn and ethanol
• Research and Innovation: Sustaining U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research that benefits farmers on yields, sustainability, and new uses
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being

What is a “skinny” Farm Bill?

The House Agriculture Committee has been working on a “skinny” Farm Bill drafting process during August, and a markup is currently anticipated in late September or October. The House Agriculture Committee already has an outline for a Farm Bill from the version it voted on last year, but many of the policies will need updating.

As several of the priority items were addressed in the Reconciliation Bill, it is expected that this Farm Bill will have some, but more limited, spending provisions and will focus more on policy changes.

Lawmakers will still need to handle some critical issues in the Farm Bill, including how to address California’s Proposition 12 law, a hemp regulatory loophole created in the 2018 Farm Bill, and pesticide provisions.

Some legislators and experts say the farm bill is unlikely until 2026. The lawmakers have a tight deadline of just 14 legislative days to finalize funding before the end of the fiscal year.

How IL Corn is working to protect farmer priorities

• Advocacy in D.C.
• IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) leaders meet with lawmakers and staff
• Coalition advocacy efforts with other corn-states, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), and industry partners
• Farmer Voices
• Encouraging grassroots involvement through calls, meetings, and testimonials

Your stories matter. Policymakers need to hear how the provisions under the Farm Bill affect your farm. Sign up to be in our Call to Action system to receive alerts when you need to tell your congressman how current legislation affects your farm.