Central Missouri News

Earlier today, Congressman Alford and his colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 out of committee by a vote of 33-21. This year’s Farm Bill aims to ensure proper safety nets for farmers, ranchers, and producers while providing them with tools for prosperity.

Within the package, Congressman Alford secured several provisions beneficial to Missouri and the broader agriculture community. Notably, Congressman Alford’s A-Plus Act (H.R. 530) was included. The legislation allows livestock auction owners to invest in packing facilities under specific capacity limits: less than 2,000 cattle or sheep per day or 700,000 per year; and less than 10,000 hogs per day or 3 million per year.

The Supporting All Healthy Options When Purchasing Produce (SHOPP) Act (H.R. 3127) was also included. These provisions will ensure all forms of fruits and vegetables—frozen, fresh, canned, and dried—are eligible under the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GUSNIP).

Additionally, the package incorporates elements from Congressman Alford’s Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act (H.R. 5134). It seeks to reauthorize and improve the BioPreferred Program by mandating procurement guidance issuance to agencies and developing NAICS and NAPCS codes. It also requires a study on nationally uniform labeling standards and terminology.

Congressman Alford co-led the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Communication Regarding Oversight of Pesticides (CROP) Act of 2023. The Farm Bill includes key provisions from this legislation aimed at balancing USDA and EPA input on pesticide regulations to reflect both producer and environmental considerations.

Inspired by Congressman Alford’s HPAI Act (H.R. 5096), the Farm Bill directs USDA to report on their preparedness to support livestock producers and poultry growers facing economic losses due to foreign animal disease outbreaks.

The legislation also reforms certain reporting requirements under the Agriculture and Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) for improved accuracy and transparency regarding farmland owned by foreign persons or entities. This reform is inspired by legislation co-led by Congressman Mark Alford—the AFIDA Improvements Act of 2024 (H.R. 7131).

Congressman Mark Alford issued a statement: “The agriculture community is the foundation of America. My colleagues and I on the House Agriculture Committee have worked tirelessly to ensure our nation’s farmers, ranchers, and agri-businesses have the resources they need to succeed. Today’s Farm Bill is a product of that work."

He added: "Our farmers are some of the hardest-working people in our country, and the Farm Bill we put together recognizes that. I am proud to join my colleagues in this passage of this legislation and look forward to pushing it across the finish line on the House Floor.”

Chairman GT Thompson commented: “The House Committee on Agriculture has worked exhaustively to craft an effective Farm Bill that meets the needs of our hardworking farmers, revitalizes rural America, and strengthens our national security. Thank you to Rep. Alford for his leadership throughout this process. I am confident that the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 will provide certainty to producers and consumers in Missouri and across the nation.”

Media inquiries for Rep. Alford should be directed to Austin Higginbotham at Austin.Higginbotham@mail.house.gov.