Congress has extended the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 — the 2018 Farm Bill — through September 30, 2026. The extension was included in the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 (H.R. 5371), which Congress passed on November 12, 2025. This law also restored federal government operations following the recent shutdown and provided funding for ongoing programs, ensuring that key Farm Bill authorities continue uninterrupted while Congress works toward a new reauthorization.

The extension maintains the full range of programs originally authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, covering agriculture, nutrition assistance, conservation, and rural development. These authorities had been set to expire after fiscal year 2023, and the new law ensures USDA can continue administering these programs.

IEDC continues to view the Farm Bill — and particularly the Rural Development title — as a top federal policy priority. IEDC supports a long-term reauthorization that strengthens the Rural Development title to expand economic opportunity and build local capacity in rural America. This includes encouraging Congress to provide annual baseline funding of $50 million for the proposed Rural Partnership Program (RPP), designed to help rural communities advance public–private partnerships and implement locally driven development strategies.

IEDC also supports robust annual appropriations for USDA Rural Development programs to ensure rural communities have the tools and resources they need to address ongoing challenges and pursue long-term economic growth.