Policy Update

Federal Government Reopens, Passes Agriculture Appropriations and Farm Bill Extension

On November 12, Congress passed, and President Trump signed into law, legislation to reopen the federal government, ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

The legislation included full-year funding for Agriculture, the Legislative Branch, Military Construction, and Veteran Affairs through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2026. All other departments were funded through a Continuing Resolution that maintains current funding levels through Jan. 30, 2026.

Finally, the legislative package also reauthorized certain Farm Bill programs through Sept. 30, 2026. Farm Bill programs such as conservation, crop insurance, and commodity support were modified and reauthorized in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law on July 4, 2025. As a result, Congress will not consider Farm Bill legislation this year but may consider a “skinny” Farm Bill next year.

Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) Publishes Analysis of Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture Appropriations

Congress passed full-year appropriations for Agriculture programs through Sept. 30, 2026. USDA funding is essential for Tribes and Tribal producers, supporting access to farm credit, conservation programming, nutrition assistance, education, and more.

Congress generally maintained funding levels for key programs for Tribes and Tribal producers, including:

$5.19 million for the Office of Tribal Relations (+$ from FY25)

$2.580 billion for FSA Direct Farm Ownership Loans, $1.633 billion for Direct Farm Operating Loans, $3. Billion for Guaranteed Farm Ownership Loans, and $2 billion for Guaranteed Farm Operating Loans

$850 million for conservation operations at NRCS

$235 million for FDPIR

$4 million for FRTEP

For a full summary of funding levels, see IAC’s analysis here.

FSA Extends Deadlines for Farm Programs Due to Government Shutdown

On Nov. 19, FSA issued a notice that they will be extending deadlines that occurred during the shutdown. Generally, deadlines that occurred during the shutdown will be extended by 30 days to Dec. 15, 2025. The extension includes FSA appeals, aspects of the Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL), aspects of the Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), and other programs.

For information and deadlines for specific programs, please see FSA’s notice here.

NFBC Presents at NCAI Annual Convention and Marketplace

Members of NFBC presented at NCAI’s Annual Convention in Seattle, WA, discussing the successes of the Native Farm Bill Coalition in securing the historic 63 Tribal-specific provisions in the 2024 Farm Bill text and next steps for advocating for change.