Bipartisan Farming: Agriculture Shouldn’t Be a Political Football

Farming isn’t red or blue. It’s not about which party’s in charge. It’s about feeding families, keeping businesses alive, and making sure the next generation has land that’s worth working. But too often, agriculture gets caught in political crossfire, leaving farmers and ranchers stuck in the middle.

At the end of the day, agriculture has to rise above politics. The policies that shape our industry should be based on reality—not agendas. If we want a strong future for American farmers, we’ve got to focus on what actually moves the needle.

The Farm Bill: Proof That Working Together Works

If you want proof that bipartisanship still has a place in agriculture, look at the Farm Bill. It’s one of the only pieces of legislation that historically gets support from both sides of the aisle, and for good reason—it funds crop insurance, conservation, and rural development.

The 2018 Farm Bill passed with strong bipartisan backing, and despite today’s political gridlock, lawmakers extended it in 2024 because they know agriculture can’t afford to sit around and wait for a perfect solution. That’s the kind of cooperation we need more of.

Sure, there’s always debate over where the money should go—nutrition assistance, direct farm subsidies, conservation programs—but at the end of the day, the Farm Bill has to work for all farmers, from row-crop operators to small family ranches. The more we focus on solutions instead of political battles, the better off we’ll be.

Why Bipartisanship in Ag Policy Matters

This isn’t just a feel-good idea. There are real issues where both sides agree—and those agreements make a difference.

• Foreign Land Ownership: Both parties are worried about foreign entities—especially adversaries—buying up U.S. farmland. That’s why the Foreign Adversary Risk Management (FARM) Act has backing across the board. Keeping American farmland in American hands is something we should all get behind.

• Climate-Smart Ag Programs: Programs like the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) have bipartisan support because they help farmers make conservation profitable, not just a government mandate. If we can protect our land while keeping operations financially strong, that’s a win for everyone.

• Rural Infrastructure: It doesn’t matter which party you vote for—if you farm in rural America, you need better roads, broadband, and access to reliable power and water. These investments aren’t political; they’re necessary. And bipartisan efforts have helped push funding in the right direction.

What Can Farmers and Ranchers Do?

Policy isn’t something that just happens to us. Farmers and ranchers have a voice, and if we don’t use it, someone else will make the decisions for us. Here’s how you can stay involved:

• Stay Informed: Keep up with what’s happening in Washington and understand how it affects your operation. Don’t just read the headlines—dig into the facts.

• Engage with Lawmakers: You don’t have to be a politician to call your representative, show up at a town hall, or send an email. If you’re not telling them what you need, who is?

• Support Ag Advocacy Groups: Groups like the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union fight for agriculture, no matter which party is in charge. Backing them means making sure farmers have a seat at the table.

• Focus on the Bigger Picture: At the end of the day, it’s not about which party wins—it’s about keeping agriculture strong. If we let politics divide us, we lose sight of the real goal: protecting our land, our businesses, and our way of life.

Farming Doesn’t Have a Party. It Has a Purpose.

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that farmers don’t farm based on party lines. They farm because it’s what they love, what they know, and what their families depend on.

We should expect the same from the people making the rules. If we want real progress in agriculture, we’ve got to demand it—not as Republicans or Democrats, but as farmers, ranchers, and stewards of the land.

It’s time to remind Washington that agriculture isn’t a political football. It’s the foundation that keeps this country fed.