The 2018 Farm Bill, enacted December 20, 2018, provides support, certainty, and stability to our nation’s farmers, ranchers, and forest managers by enhancing farm support programs, improving crop insurance, maintaining disaster programs, and promoting and supporting voluntary conservation.
The Farm Bill builds upon many of the crucial programs that serve America’s agricultural producers. USDA is implementing this new bill, which includes seeking public input on programs and provisions and designing guidelines. In the meantime, programs authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill are available to serve producers now.
Farmers' Guide to 2018 Farm Bill Programs
USDA offers a variety of risk management, disaster assistance, loan, and conservation programs to support your operation. The Farmers' Guide to Farm Bill Programs Brochure describes assistance for farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners available through the 2018 Farm Bill.
Download this brochure in multiple languages:
- Phau Ntawv Qhia Txog Cov Kev Pab Txhawb Rau Cov Neeg Ua Qoob Loo Txog Txoj Cai Kev Ua Qoob Loo (2018 Farm Bill Brochure in Hmong)
- 《农业法案》 计划指南 (2018 Farm Bill Brochure in Mandarin)
- Guía Del Agricultor Para Los Programas Del Proyecto De Ley Agrícola (2018 Farm Bill Brochure in Spanish)
- HƯỚNG DẪN CHO NÔNG GIA VỀ CÁC CHƯƠNG TRÌNH TRONG ĐẠO LUẬT CANH NÔNG (2018 Farm Bill Brochure in Vietnamese)
Additionally, we also have other brochures with more information on our programs:
- Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Brochure
- Disaster Assistance Brochure
- Conservation Programs Brochure
Translated versions of these brochures are available on our Translations webpage.
Key Changes
The 2018 Farm Bill continued funding for USDA’s major programs that serve you. The new legislation did prescribe changes to some of these programs:
- What’s New with Farm Service Agency Programs (PDF, 111KB)
- What’s New and What Has Changed with Farm Service Agency Programs (PDF, 366KB)
- What’s New with Natural Resources Conservation Service Programs (PDF, 209KB)
- What’s New with Risk Management Agency Programs (PDF, 116KB)
The 2018 Farm Bill reclassified hemp, and it is now legal to grow industrial hemp. Learn more about Hemp and Farm Programs.
Feedback
As part of implementing the Farm Bill, USDA conducted listening sessions to provide an opportunity for producers and USDA stakeholders to share their thoughts about how USDA can streamline and improve program delivery and customer service.
USDA's Farm Service Agency hosted two listening sessions to obtain feedback on the 2018 Farm Bill provisions regarding the Heir's Property Relending Program and issues surrounding heirs' property landowners obtaining farm numbers. The first listening session was on July 31, 2019 in Jackson, Mississippi. The second was on August 14, 2019 in Washington. D.C.
USDA has held 10-plus listening sessions, including a session on February 26, 2019 where FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Risk Management Agency gathered feedback on programs for farmers and ranchers. Watch the recording below or on YouTube.