House Committee Releases Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

Specialty Crop Alliance applauds key provisions for family farms and emergency assistance

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) has issued a statement commending the House Committee on Agriculture for the release of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. The alliance praised the legislation for including key provisions that would enhance the competitiveness of family farms producing specialty crops across the United States, as well as the creation of the first-ever Specialty Crop Emergency Assistance Framework.

Why it matters

The farm bill is critical legislation that provides stability and support for American agriculture. The inclusion of specialty crop-specific programs and emergency assistance is seen as a significant step in addressing the unique needs of this sector, which includes fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture, and nursery crops.

The details

The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 would require the USDA to create the first-ever Specialty Crop Emergency Assistance Framework, based on the successful CFAP-2 and MASC programs. This provision would establish a unique payment structure to compensate specialty crop producers in times of need. The alliance noted that this is a clear signal that specialty crops are fundamentally different than row crops and require their own program at USDA for delivering economic aid.

  • The House Committee on Agriculture released the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 on February 18, 2026.

The players

Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA)

A coalition of organizations representing the interests of specialty crop producers, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture, and nursery crops.

Glenn 'GT' Thompson

Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, who led the release of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.

Cathy Burns

CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association and co-chair of the SCFBA.

Mike Joyner

President of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association and co-chair of the SCFBA.

Dave Puglia

President and CEO of Western Growers and co-chair of the SCFBA.

Kam Quarles

CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the SCFBA.

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What’s next

The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 will now move through the legislative process, with the House Committee on Agriculture expected to hold hearings and mark-up the bill in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The inclusion of specialty crop-specific programs and emergency assistance in the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 is a significant win for the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance and the family farms they represent. This legislation demonstrates a growing recognition of the unique needs and challenges facing the specialty crop sector, which plays a vital role in American agriculture and food security.