2026 Farm Bill Progression

Support for California farmers is moving forward. The 2026 Farm Bill has passed the House Agriculture Committee with bipartisan backing, marking a strong step forward for the Central Valley.

Almond Export Funding – What It Means:
New federal funding through the MAP and FMD programs is aimed at expanding U.S. almond exports. This is a big deal for the industry; more support behind global marketing means stronger demand where it matters most.

For handlers:
More funding helps open doors to international buyers, move inventory faster, and reduce the need to discount product to clear volume.

For growers:
While there are no direct payments, stronger export demand helps support prices, especially in heavy crop years, and reduces dependence on a few key markets.

Key takeaways:
1. This is all about building demand overseas. The more almonds we move globally, the more support there is for prices back at the farm level.
2. Still pending final approval.