Happy Monday, NAWG!
This past weekend, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix took place in Washington, DC. Twenty-five drivers took their Indy Cars around the National Mall 147 times reaching nearly 180 mph on the straightaways of Independence and Pennsylvania Avenues. I can hardly contain the easy joke referencing larger than life names driving fancy cars, making noise, spinning their wheels, and running in circles… just a normal day here the nation’s capital.
In all seriousness, the continued celebration of our nation’s independence is a nice thing for those who can participate. And I welcome the emphasis on freedom, sacrifice and our country’s heritage of farmers, merchants and businessmen taking bold steps to create a representative government by the people and for the people. What’s frustrating to those of us who represent farmers in this town is that the current environment feels more like endless public opinion polling and message testing than representative government (just ask any cattleman).
It’s times like this, however, when farmer organizations can pull together and stick to our non-partisan policy objectives. Input costs, inflation, red ink balance sheets, and weather disasters do not align with either political party and neither should our farmer organizations. NAWG will continue to hold our elected and appointed officials accountable for policy outcomes. It’s our job to help deliver your message and policy wish list to elected officials, and it’s their job to listen. So, while your Senators and Representatives are back home hoping to connect with constituents, please take the time to connect with them.
Share your experiences of drought, flood, freeze and failed harvests and how crop insurance does not make you whole. Share your stories of input costs outpacing the price of grain. Show them the receipts of repair parts that itemize the cost of tariffs. Help your elected officials grasp the gravity of 2026 being the smallest expected wheat harvest since Dwight Eisenower was President. There are real food security and national security concerns when American farmers can’t afford to farm. Let’s take the time to ensure each of our elected officials (Republican and Democrat) fully appreciate what’s at stake.
SK
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DC Week Ahead
- On Monday, August 24, at 12:00 PM EST Secretary Rollins will host a rally in Washington, D.C. with Secretary Kennedy Jr. for an announcement and will host a press conference afterwards.
- You can find more information here.
Policy Report
USDA Announces, “Harvest to Hallways” School Nutrition Initiative
Today, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the new Harvest to Hallways initiative aimed at strengthening school meals and increasing connections between American agriculture and school nutrition programs. The initiative includes up to $70 million for school cafeteria infrastructure, including a new $50 million investment in kitchen equipment, as well as up to $25 million in additional Farm to School grants for FY 2026. USDA will also promote local food procurement options, while USDA and HHS encourage states to adopt updated school nutrition practices aligned with the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. HHS separately announced $30 million for research focused on improving the nutritional quality of school meals. The initiative is part of the administration’s broader Make America Healthy Again agenda.
Senate Republicans Weigh Options for Farm Bill Path Forward
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Senate Agriculture Committee Republicans are considering “all the options” for advancing a farm bill after the committee failed to report the legislation earlier this month. While another committee vote after the August recess remains the preferred path, Thune indicated attaching farm bill provisions to another legislative vehicle, such as the National Defense Authorization Act or an agriculture appropriations bill, could also be considered.
U.S.-Canada Trade Tensions Escalate
U.S.-Canada trade negotiations broke down over the weekend, with Canada announcing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products beginning September 8 after new U.S. tariffs took effect on approximately $20 billion in Canadian goods. President Trump also said Monday that he intends to impose 50 percent tariffs on Canadian automobiles and auto parts beginning January 1 if the dispute remains unresolved. The developments add uncertainty to the North American trading relationship as the countries continue discussions surrounding the USMCA review.
WRDA Bills Await Path to Floor
House and Senate committees have advanced bipartisan versions of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, which authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers navigation, port and water infrastructure projects. With limited floor time remaining this year, lawmakers and waterways stakeholders are discussing whether WRDA may need to move as part of the NDAA or another year-end legislative package.