The House Agriculture Committee has advanced the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) after a 25-hour markup session. The bill, which received bipartisan support, includes several provisions aimed at supporting Florida’s agricultural producers.
Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL-03), who represents Florida’s 3rd district in Congress and has served since 2021, secured her top priorities in the legislation. Cammack highlighted the difficulties faced by Florida farmers due to hurricanes, flooding, and freezes impacting specialty crops such as citrus groves and berry farms.
“For years, producers have been operating without the stability they need to plan and invest,” said Cammack. “The farm bill is the backbone of American agriculture, food security, and rural communities. This legislation delivers meaningful improvements for Florida farmers and ensures our growers have the tools they need to recover, rebuild, and compete.”
The updated bill modernizes the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), extending coverage to trees and plants that are no longer economically productive after disasters—not just those destroyed. It also introduces more flexibility for replanting decisions, requires USDA responses within 120 days for disaster claims, and allows upfront payments to help farmers recover more quickly.
A new Specialty Crop Emergency Assistance Framework is established under the act. This framework bases disaster assistance on prior-year sales while accounting for higher production costs among specialty crop producers.
Cammack’s key provisions included in H.R. 7567 are:
– AGI Reform: Farmers earning at least 75% of their income from agriculture can exceed the $900,000 disaster payment cap.
– Citrus Research: Extension of the citrus greening research trust fund through 2031.
– Voluntary Base Acre Update: A one-time update based on planting history from 2019–2023 starting in 2026.
Other measures benefit citrus and tree growers with upfront replanting assistance and flexible grove management options. Specialty crop producers will see aid based on actual sales data along with higher payment caps for full-time operations.
Additional programs extended through 2031 include block grants for specialty crops—with input from producers on state priorities—and continued funding for market news services. The bill also strengthens coordination between crop insurance providers regarding specialty crops and allows greater producer input on policy development.
Beyond direct farm support, the legislation expands investments in forestry innovation and rural broadband infrastructure while protecting federal sugar programs. Oversight of foreign purchases of U.S. agricultural land is also addressed.
Kat Cammack was born in Denver in 1988, graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2015 with a BA degree, and currently lives in Gainesville.
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 will next be considered by the full House.
