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Roots of Change Statement on the House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill Proposal

Roots of Change Statement on the House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill Proposal

February 19, 2026 Roots of Change

Roots of Change is deeply concerned about the House Agriculture Committee’s proposed Farm Bill text, H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 released last week and scheduled for mark up on Monday, February 23. At a moment when farms and ranches are navigating rising costs, market volatility, and tariff-driven uncertainty, and as families are facing rising food costs, the Farm Bill should deliver practical, common-sense solutions that strengthen rural economies and build a healthier, more resilient food system.

Instead, the House Committee’s text includes provisions that run counter to the principles Roots of Change is advancing and would undermine a resilient and healthy food system and weaken state and local leadership when it is needed most. In particular, Roots of Change is alarmed that the bill:

  • Expands federal preemption on pesticides in ways that could limit state and local safeguards, restrict additional warnings beyond the federal label, and undermine local authority to address pesticide risks.
  • Preempts state leadership on livestock standards, including language that would effectively override California’s Proposition 12 and similar state laws by preventing states from using their markets to advance higher animal welfare and livestock production standards for out-of-state products.
  • Doubles down on last year’s SNAP cuts and policy changes enacted through H.R. 1, rather than advancing nutrition security and practical, community-driven solutions that help make healthy food more affordable.

Roots of Change urges members of the House Agriculture Committee to refocus the Farm Bill on solutions that support farmer and rancher viability, strengthen local and regional food economies, protect nutrition and public health, and advance regenerative and climate-smart stewardship. We will be tracking amendments closely and will share updates as Farm Bill markup and negotiations proceed.

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