The Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, extended the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (also known as the 2018 Farm Bill) for one year through Sept. 30, 2026.

Additionally, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, 2025 (OBBBA), made updates and provided additional funding for some Farm Bill programs. OBBBA invested in USDA’s major conservation programs and authorizes the following programs through fiscal year 2031: 

• Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
• Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)

OBBBA also restored funding for:

• Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP)
• Feral Swine Eradication Program and Control Pilot Program (FSCP)
   

2018 Farm Bill 

The 2018 Farm Bill made updates to NRCS programs, which are outlined below as well as the What's New with NRCS Programs fact sheet. In general, the Farm Bill: 

• Strengthened and expanded support to producers who address significant natural resource concerns through adoption of conservation practices and activities.
• Ensured that voluntary conservation programs balance farm productivity with conservation benefits so the most fertile and productive lands remain in production while land retired for conservation purposes favors more environmentally sensitive acres.
• Supported conservation programs that ensure cost-effective financial assistance for improved soil health, water and air quality, and other natural resource benefits.
• Encouraged entry into farming through increased access to land and capital for young, beginning, veteran, and underrepresented farmers. 

More detailed information can be found on the 2018 Farm Bill Rules webpage. Also, the Farmers' Guide to Farm Bill Programs is a great resource for NRCS, Farm Service Agency, and Risk Management Agency programs made possible through the Farm Bill.