$5 billion for farmers in 2027 in John Fetterman-sponsored bill
Finch Walker- U.S. Sen. John Fetterman co-sponsored the Cultivating Horticultural Innovation in Local Economies (CHILE) Act.
- The bill aims to provide $5 billion in direct assistance to specialty crop producers for the 2027 fiscal year.
- It builds upon the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, which passed the House earlier this year.
A new bill co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, seeks to expand federal protections for specialty crop growers by building on another bill that passed the U.S. House earlier this year.
On June 24, Fetterman introduced the Cultivating Horticultural Innovation in Local Economies Act, shortened to the CHILE Act, alongside U.S. Sens. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan.; Ben Ray Luján, D-New Mexico; Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia.; Cory Booker, D-New Jersey; and Michael Bennet, D-Colorado.
"Pennsylvania farmers help put food on our tables, create local jobs and keep our agricultural economy moving. Having a framework that allows them to get the direct assistance they need is just one step in safeguarding farmers in times of economic loss," Fetterman said in a press release. "I'm proud to support this legislation that would strengthen federal support allowing these specialty crop farmers to have the funding and tools they need to help succeed today and everyday."
If passed, here's what the bill would do.
Bill co-sponsored by Pennsylvania's John Fetterman includes $5 billion in farmer assistance next year
If passed, the bill would lead to $5 billion in direct assistance going to speciality crop producers for the 2027 fiscal year, and it would require the definition of specialty crops to include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops and floriculture.
The bill builds on H.R. 7567, more commonly known as the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 or simply as the farm bill. That bill was passed by the U.S. House in April and includes a Specialty Crop Emergency Assistance Framework. If passed, the CHILE Act would require the USDA to use the Farm Bill's Specialty Crop Emergency Assistance Framework when sending direct aid to specialty crop farmers.
What's the current status on the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026?
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 13, where it passed at the end of April. The Senate received the bill on May 19 but has not taken any action on it since then.
The bill passed the House with a 224-200 vote. The final version had been stripped of a pesticide provision backed by President Donald Trump that would have shielded pesticide companies from liability.
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at [email protected]. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.