It’s fair to say that 2025 has been a year of meaningful progress for agriculture, on top of some very big challenges. Farm Bureau helped farmers and ranchers across the country navigate the roller coaster ride. From policy wins that strengthen farm families to initiatives that support rural communities—our members, leaders and Farm Bureau staff rallied to ensure farmers and ranchers could hold on through the ups and downs. Here’s a look at some of the key victories and steps forward that shaped the year.
Weathering an Economic Storm
Congress took some big steps to provide certainty for farmers with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It extends critical tax provisions that farm and ranch families rely on to keep their businesses running. It also improves access to and affordability of critical risk management programs like crop insurance and commodity support programs, increases funding for conservation programs, and enhances risk management support for dairy farmers. However, the farm bill program changes don’t take effect until next year. That’s why the recently authorized $12 billion aid package was so important. It will help bridge the gap so farmers can pay bills, maintain their machinery and plan for the next season with greater certainty. But this is just one piece of what farmers and ranchers will need to turn the corner.
They’ve been hard hit from every direction during an economic storm that includes higher operating costs and historically low prices for most major crops. Major crops combined will lose more than $34 billion this year—that’s on top of $55 billion in combined losses from the two previous years. How many of us could survive by losing money year after year in our jobs? A spike in farm bankruptcies is a warning flare for all of us who rely on farmers to feed our families.
Thankfully, members of Congress are already working to fill in the gaps. Consider that many fruit, vegetable, tree nut and nursery growers are facing the same sharp rise in costs and the same instability in the marketplace—yet received less than 10% of the bridge support. Farm Bureau is committed to ensuring our elected leaders deliver additional aid to close the gap.
Financial relief is an essential lifeline, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle to help farmers and ranchers navigate these challenging times.
Labor Reform and Fair Wages
Farm Bureau has long advocated for changes to the antiquated wage rate formula, called the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, for agricultural guestworkers in the H-2A program. This year we achieved a new wage rate rule that brings wages into balance, so they are fair to both workers and farmers. Labor costs can be nearly half the cost of production, making it hard for farmers to break even and more expensive to grow food domestically. More labor reforms are needed to avoid increased dependence on imported foods.
Earlier in the year, the Department of Labor also pulled back a far-reaching regulation after several successful lawsuits, one of which was co-led by AFBF. This marked a significant win for farmers and ranchers because elements of this egregious rule placed new regulatory burdens on farmers whom Congress had explicitly exempted. Farmers appreciate and depend upon the men and women who choose to work on their farms, so fair labor standards are important to them.
Clarity on Clean Water Rules
The proposed 2025 Waters of the United States rule, from the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers, is welcome news for agriculture. Clean water is essential for farmers and ranchers: it’s the foundation of everything they do. The new rule strikes an important balance by protecting critical water sources while respecting the stewardship farmers practice every day to safeguard natural resources.
Several years ago, the Supreme Court made it clear that the government had overreached in its interpretation of what fell under federal jurisdiction. This proposal finally addresses those concerns and takes steps toward providing much-needed clarity. AFBF will share feedback with EPA to ensure farmers can continue protecting the environment while growing the food America’s families rely on.
Expanding Mental Health Support
Farmers and ranchers face economic uncertainty unlike anything seen in a generation, putting enormous pressure on them to support their families and make ends meet. This makes Farm Bureau’s work to deliver mental health resources through our Farm State of Mind program critically important.
In 2025, AFBF took a big step to expand its Farm State of Mind initiative by partnering with the Farm Family Wellness Alliance to launch the Farm State of Mind Alliance. This collaboration brings together resources and messaging to make an even greater impact on rural mental health.
The Alliance builds on work started in 2020 and expanded in 2023 to offer tools like Togetherall and Personal Assistance Services to farm families nationwide. Now, under Farm State of Mind, these lifechanging efforts will be centralized and amplified.
Looking Forward to 2026
With the 2025 roller coaster nearly in the books, I stand in awe of the women and men we serve. Farmers and ranchers are some of the most resilient, optimistic people I’ve ever met. They have to be in order to continue planting a crop every spring with no idea whether they’ll see a return on their investment in the fall. Their noble work makes it gratifying to be part of the Farm Bureau team helping to clear the hurdles in their way and open doors to new opportunities. Investing in the people who work every day to ensure a safe, healthy and affordable food supply is a win every time—the benefits of which are visible on every dinner table in America.
Joby Young is executive vice president at the American Farm Bureau Federation.
