Glenn Thompson

The House Agriculture Committee will hold a pair of hearings this week to delve into conservation, forestry and the safety net that cushions farms from economic and weather-related disasters. In a full committee hearing, lawmakers are expected to dig into how parts of the last farm bill — enacted in 2018 — are playing out more than two years after it was set to expire, as well as aspects of the Big, Beautiful Bill Act that addressed some farm programs last year. Farm groups and others warn that headwinds facing farmers are outpacing the 2018 law’s ability to help them. Bankruptcies are at a decadeslong high, according to the Department of Agriculture. Congress has extended the 2018 farm bill. The House passed a new farm bill at the end of April, and Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Chair John Boozman (R-Ark.) plans to release a draft this week. [to access the full story an E&ENews subscription is required]