Kiggans Supports 2026 Farm Bill Delivering for Virginia Farmers and the Hampton Roads Economy

Kiggans Supports 2026 Farm Bill Delivering for Virginia Farmers and the Hampton Roads Economy April 30, 2026 | Uncategorized WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-02) joined her colleagues in voting to pass the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 . This comprehensive legislation reauthorizes and modernizes key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs through 2031. This bill delivers stability and relief for our nation’s farmers and stakeholders who have been operating under three consecutive extensions of the 2018 farm bill. This bill strengthens American agriculture, invests in our rural communities, and supports working families across Coastal Virginia. Congresswoman Kiggans said, “As the Representative of Virginia’s Second District, it is my responsibility to ensure our farmers and working families receive the relief they deserve. This Farm Bill reinforces and makes permanent key provisions from last summer’s Working Families Tax Cut, ensuring continued support for working families.” “This Farm Bill is about keeping food affordable, supporting our farmers, and making sure Coastal Virginia has the infrastructure and resources to compete and grow. From the Eastern Shore to Western Tidewater, this bill delivers practical, commonsense solutions that strengthen our local economy and national security,” she concluded. Wins for VA-02: Delivering Major Investments in Rural Virginia Invests $350 million per year in expanding broadband access and $82 million per year for improvements in telehealth and support for rural hospitals Establishes a new childcare initiative that targets gaps in our rural workforce Enacts zero-interest loans for distressed water systems to ensure our communities have the resources they need to grow and thrive Funds the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to support infrastructure upgrades, including facilities that connect production to transportation and export systems Strengthening National Security and Protecting American Farmland Expands oversight of foreign farmland ownership by establishing a national database of foreign-owned agricultural land Improves animal disease preparedness and port/agriculture security Reverses laws like California’s Prop 12 that prohibit states from regulating how livestock are produced outside their borders Supporting Eastern Shore Farmers and Food Security Extends core farm safety net programs, including Price Loss Coverage, Agriculture Risk Coverage, and Dairy Margin Coverage Expands disaster assistance for speciality crops and establishes a permanent aid structure for fruits, vegetables, and nursery crops Offers more stability for producers, especially for those in coastal regions Lowering Energy Costs and Supporting American Biofuels Increases energy loan guarantees to $50 million Restricts large-scale solar construction on prime farmland Promotes the development and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel Expands federal procurement and labeling programs to grow demand for biobased products derived from agricultural feedstocks Provides loan guarantees for biorefineries and facilities producing advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals Protecting the Chesapeake Bay and Investing in Conservation Reauthorizes the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) through 2031 Funds a Soil Health Grant Program to improve soil quality, carbon storage, and long-term farm productivity through practices like cover cropping and reduced tillage Expands watershed and flood resilience programs to strengthen water quality protections and cost savings for farmers Boosting Trade, Ports, and the Hampton Roads Economy Secures the future of the Food for Peace Program by prioritizing U.S.-grown commodities Directs the USDA to improve the resilience and capacity of agricultural supply chains, which includes transportation, storage, and distribution systems that connect to ports Allocates $533 million per year for export promotion programs, including the Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) and the Market Access Program (MAP) Improves the flow of exports by expanding USDA loan eligibility for on-farm and regional storage Ensuring Reliable Nutrition Support for Families Reauthorizes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through 2031, while also enhancing fraud protection and tightening oversight Expands nutrition incentives to focus on protein, dairy, and locally-sourced food options Expanding Access to Credit and Supporting Small Businesses Increases loan limits and expands access to capital for farmers and small businesses, including those in aquaculture and fishing industries that are vital to Virginia’s coastal economy Strengthens programs that help keep farmland in families and support the next generation of producers Advancing Research, Innovation, and Workforce Development Boosts funding for agricultural research at institutions like Virginia Tech to drive innovation in speciality crops, automation, and workforce development Targeted investments to address labor shortages and ensure American agriculture remains competitive globally