Introduction to the Farm Bill: Videos

March 27, 2023 R47486

Introduction to the Farm Bill: Videos
March 27, 2023
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
R47486

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Introduction to the Farm Bill: Videos

Introduction
This report constitutes a guide to a series of videos that examine the various programs and
policies that comprise periodic omnibus legislation on farm and food policy, commonly known as
“the farm bill.” The President signed the most recent farm bill, the Agriculture Improvement Act
of 2018 (the 2018 farm bill; P.L. 115-334), into law on December 20, 2018. The 2018 farm bill
generally authorizes programs for five years. As such, many farm bill programs will expire in
2023 unless Congress acts to extend their authorizations or reauthorize them as part of a
subsequent farm bill.
The 2018 farm bill authorized a broad array of programs and policies across 12 titles that define
much of the federal government’s role in the agricultural sector. It also established the parameters
for key domestic and foreign nutrition assistance programs. The 2018 farm bill authorized
policies that address commodity support; conservation; trade; foreign and domestic nutrition
assistance; farm credit and rural development; research, extension, and education; forestry;
energy; horticulture; crop insurance; and livestock-related matters, among others.
To help prepare Congress as it begins considering the next farm bill, the Congressional Research
Service (CRS) held virtual seminars to provide relevant information on key programs and policy
initiatives authorized by the 2018 farm bill. The presentations also identified some of the higher-
profile policy issues that may arise and highlighted some policy options that Congress may
consider. These 16 video presentations, produced between November 2022 and February 2023,
are posted to the CRS website.
The videos listed herein also identify CRS subject matter analysts and provide references to
related CRS products for those who want to explore a specific topic area in greater depth or who
seek additional analysis on an individual program or policy. For written products discussing the
potential development of the next farm bill, see CRS Report R47313, Next Farm Bill Primer
Series: A Guide to Agriculture and Food Programs in the 2018 Farm Bill, and CRS Report
R47057, Preparing for the Next Farm Bill.
Overview Videos
CRS Video WVB00522, Introduction and Farm Bill Overview, by Jim Monke
The farm bill is an omnibus, multiyear law that governs an array of agricultural and food
programs. Originally focused on farm commodity program support for a handful of staple
commodities, this video addresses its expansion over the decades to incorporate certain nutrition
assistance programs, as well as a broad array of other programs oriented to agricultural producers
and to rural businesses and residents. Produced November 15, 2022. Video running time is 16
minutes.
CRS Video WVB00523, Farm Bill Budget, by Jim Monke
Farm bill programs receive both mandatory and discretionary funding. This video discusses
overall funding trends and the availability of funding to write the next farm bill. Produced
November 15, 2022. Video running time is 19 minutes.
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Introduction to the Farm Bill: Videos

CRS Video WVB00544, Farm Bill Reauthorization: Nutrition and Farm Safety
Net Programs, by Jim Monke, Randy Alison Aussenberg, and Stephanie Rosch
The farm bill sets the direction of agricultural policy for a multiyear period. Congress may
consider another farm bill in 2023 as the 2018 farm bill begins expiring at the end of FY2023.
This video outlines this far-reaching legislation, and it focuses on the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP) and the farm safety net programs in the context of the federal
budget. Produced February 23, 2023. Video running time is 43 minutes.
Select Issue Videos by Farm Bill Title
CRS Video WVB00527, Commodities (Title I), by Stephanie Rosch and Joel L.
Greene
Title I commodity support programs provide income and price support for eligible producers of
field crops, dairy, sugar, and other eligible commodities. This video provides an overview of these
programs, summarizes changes made to them in the 2018 farm bill, and highlights selected policy
issues that may arise as Congress considers authorizing the next farm bill. Produced February 7,
2023. Video running time is 49 minutes.
CRS Video WVB00524, Agricultural Disaster Assistance (Title I), by Megan
Stubbs
The 2018 farm bill authorizes numerous programs to help agricultural producers recover from
natural disasters. In addition to permanently authorized programs, this video addresses ad hoc
assistance that Congress has authorized in recent years to respond to losses not otherwise
covered. It also identifies some options Congress may consider in the next farm bill as it weighs
the appropriate federal response to losses that fall outside of the permanent programs. Produced
November 15, 2022. Video running time is 12 minutes.
CRS Video WVB00530, Conservation (Title II), by Megan Stubbs
The conservation title of a farm bill contains reauthorizations, amendments, and programs that
encourage farmers and ranchers to voluntarily implement resource-conserving practices on
private land. This video identifies policy areas of potential interest to Congress as it considers the
next farm bill, which may include funding for programs, conservation-related climate strategies,
the backlog of unfunded program applications, and program compliance and flexibility. Produced
November 16, 2022. Video running time is 26 minutes.
CRS Video WVB00540, Trade (Title III), by Joel L. Greene and Amber D. Nair
The 2018 farm bill’s trade title includes programs covering export credit guarantees, export
market development, international scientific and technical exchange, and international food
assistance. This video provides an overview of the farm bill’s trade provisions and identifies
policy issues that Congress could consider as it writes the next farm bill. Produced November 17,
2022. Video running time is 36 minutes.
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Introduction to the Farm Bill: Videos

CRS Video WVB00529, Nutrition (Title IV), by Randy Alison Aussenberg and
Gene Falk
The nutrition title of the farm bill typically reauthorizes and amends a number of nutrition or
domestic food assistance programs targeted to low-income households. These include the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program) and
certain other programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food and
Nutrition Service (FNS). This video provides an introduction to nutrition and food assistance
programs, changes made by the 2018 farm bill’s nutrition title, and current issues. Produced
November 16, 2022. Video running time is 32 minutes.
CRS Video WVB00537, Credit (Title V), by Jim Monke
The Farm Service Agency provides credit assistance to farmers and ranchers who cannot obtain
loans elsewhere. The private but federally chartered Farm Credit System helps ensure credit
availability across rural areas, sometimes in competition with commercial banks. This video
considers farm credit policies and issues relevant to the farm bill. Produced November 17, 2022.
Video running time is 20 minutes.
CRS Video WVB00531, Rural Development (Title VI), by Lisa S. Benson
This video introduces the rural development title of the farm bill, including programs related to
rural utility systems, rural business, and rural housing, along with an overview of related
provisions in the 2018 farm bill. It also addresses farm bill provisions aimed at expanding rural
broadband, summarizes funding for USDA rural broadband programs, and identifies rural
development and rural broadband issues that Congress may consider in the next farm bill.
Produced November 16, 2022. Video running time is 30 minutes.
CRS Video WVB00536, Research (Title VII), by Lisa S. Benson
This video introduces Title VII of the farm bill, including agricultural education, extension, and
research programs and related provisions included within the title. It also identifies some policy
issues relevant to these program areas that Congress to may examine as it considers a next farm
bill. Produced November 17, 2022. Video running time is 30 minutes.
CRS Video WVB00533, Forestry (Title VIII), by Anne A. Riddle and Katie
Hoover
In a farm bill, Congress often addresses forestry policy, including forest assistance, forest
research, and federal forest management. This video introduces these three forestry policy areas
and identifies some forestry specific issues that Congress may choose to debate. Produced
November 16, 2022. Video running time is 17 minutes.
CRS Video WVB00534, Energy (Title IX), by Kelsi Bracmort
This video provides an overview of the 2018 farm bill energy title, including a summary of the
energy title programs, funding history for the title, and potential legislative issues. It also
addresses recent legislative actions that support the energy title programs, such as the Inflation
Reduction Act of 2022. Produced November 16, 2022. Video running time is 17 minutes.
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Introduction to the Farm Bill: Videos

CRS Video WVB00525, Horticulture (Title X), by Renée Johnson
This video addresses the horticulture title of the 2018 farm bill, as well as related programs in
other farm bill titles, which provides support for fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and other specialty
crops; USDA-certified organic products; locally sourced products; and hemp cultivation. It also
considers issues related to horticultural products that may arise as Congress considers a new farm
bill. Produced November 15, 2022. Video running time is 20 minutes.
CRS Video WVB00528, Crop Insurance (Title XI), by Stephanie Rosch
The federal crop insurance program assists farmers to purchase private insurance coverage to help
mitigate potential financial consequences of adverse growing and market conditions. This video
provides an overview of the program, summarizes changes to it in the 2018 farm bill and
additional changes since the 2018 farm bill’s enactment, and highlights selected policy issues for
Congress as it considers reauthorization. Produced November 15, 2022. Video running time is 38
minutes.
CRS Video WVB00539, Livestock (Title XII), by Joel L. Greene
Livestock-related provisions in the 2018 farm bill reside primarily within its miscellaneous title.
This video reviews livestock provisions in the 2018 farm bill, and it highlights selected policy
issues that may be the subject of particular interest to Congress as it considers the next farm bill.
Produced November 15, 2022. Video running time is 14 minutes.

Author Information

Frank Gottron

Acting Section Research Manager

Disclaimer
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