FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Samantha Cave
Communications Coordinator
samantha@nffc.net
603-333-6281
National Family Farm Coalition Presses Congress on Long Overdue Farm Policies
Washington, DC, February 26, 2026 – On February 18th and 19th, dozens of farmers, ranchers, and advocates visited nearly 50 bipartisan Congressional offices as a part of the National Family Farm Coalition fly-in, urging elected representatives to take action on the issues most impacting family-scale food producers in the midst of a compounding farm crisis. The coalition met with offices including House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-PA-15), House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR), and Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
Sandra Ballew-Barnes, Fresh Rx Coordinator with Community Farm Alliance in Kentucky, reflected: “NFFC’s fly-in is an opportunity to exercise our constituent voices for the farming community across the US. Being on the Hill to share our farmers’ stories is a crucial step in bringing their voices into the room. Meeting with the Kentucky delegation reminds our elected officials of the needs of small scale farmers in their home state. Being a voice for farmers across KY and the United States is a powerful democratic experience.”
The fly-in coincided with the release of the House Agriculture Committee’s draft Farm Bill, presenting a unique opportunity to demonstrate the real impact of agricultural policy to farming communities across the country. The past year has been turbulent for many farmers, in part due to 2025’s funding freezes, government agency cuts, and tariff policies. These actions exacerbated existing challenges for farmers, including record-high amounts of debt and farmland prices.
NFFC sent a clear message to Congress: the ‘status quo’ of catering to agribusinesses and multinational corporations is failing most farmers. A Farm Bill that guarantees fair pricing, just treatment, and greater protections for small and mid-scale producers is long overdue. NFFC’s Farm Bill platform calls for smart policy reforms that prioritize the vitality of family-scale farmers and ranchers who make up the majority of US farms.
NFFC sought co-sponsors for key legislation including the Fair Credit for Farmers Act (S.3126/H.R. 6169), the LOCAL Foods Act (S. 1212/H.R.5341), the American Beef Labeling and COOL Enforcement Acts (S.421 and H.R. 5818), the Farmland for Farmers Act (S. 2583 in the 118th Congress), and the New Producer Economic Security Act (S.1237 / H.R. 2536). The coalition also looked to Congress to take urgent action on the continuing dairy crisis by introducing legislation including price floors and supply management.
Heather Bilden, owner-operator of Coulee Creek Ranch in Lavina, Montana and member of Northern Plains Resource Council, shared: “The fly-in was an empowering and educational experience. I saw the value of working alongside other advocates for issues impacting family farms and ranches. I truly felt like together we can make a difference!”
NFFC thanks the farmers and advocates who joined us and courageously shared their stories and experiences with legislators, as well as the legislative staff who met with our group. The coalition is eager to continue farm policy discussions in Congress and will continue to tirelessly fight for a transformational Farm Bill.
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Since 1986, National Family Farm Coalition has been mobilizing family farmers and ranchers to achieve fair prices, vibrant communities, and healthy foods free of corporate domination. Today, NFFC’s 30 member groups span 44 states and represent family farmers, ranchers, and fishing people across the United States. To learn more, visit www.nffc.net