Farm Bill Update: House Markup Signals Movement, but Big Questions Remain
House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson has tentatively scheduled a Farm Bill markup for the week of February 23, a key procedural step where committee members debate, amend, and vote on draft legislative text. NOC expects legislative text to be released in advance of the markup, and we anticipate that it will largely mirror the Republican-only House Farm Bill language introduced in 2024.
This markup signals that the Farm Bill process is moving forward, but it does not mean a final bill is close. Importantly, a committee markup is only one step in a long process. In a midterm election year, prospects for moving a House Farm Bill to the floor remain uncertain, and bipartisan agreement has not yet been secured. Tensions remain high following significant SNAP cuts included in the Republican tax and spending bill passed last summer, making a floor vote far from guaranteed.
Still, the markup matters. It will provide critical insight into which policy priorities are gaining traction and which are likely to face resistance.
What NOC Is Watching For
Under the leadership of NOC Policy Director Steve Etka, and in close coordination with coalition members, we will be watching the markup closely for progress on key organic priorities we raised with House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders last fall. These include:
Full funding for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program
The collection and reporting of organic dairy data, which is essential to the viability of organic dairy producers
Adequate resources for the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) to effectively oversee and enforce organic standards
Increased investment in organic research to keep pace with the growth of the organic sector
You can read more about these priorities in NOC’s Farm Bill letter to Agriculture Committee leaders.
How Marker Bills Fit In
As the Farm Bill process unfolds, much of the real policy groundwork happens through marker bills—stand-alone bills that signal priorities, build bipartisan support, and lay the foundation for inclusion in larger legislative packages like the Farm Bill.
NOC is actively supporting a set of bipartisan marker bills that reflect the needs of organic farmers, businesses, and communities, ranging from organic research and dairy support to market development and transition assistance. These bills help ensure that organic priorities remain visible and viable as negotiations continue.
If you’re interested in learning more, we’ve put together a brief explainer on what marker bills are and a current list of the marker bills NOC is supporting.
👉 Marker Bills Supported by NOC
Looking Ahead
While the upcoming markup will not resolve the Farm Bill debate, it will clarify the direction House Agriculture Committee leadership is heading—and where continued advocacy is most needed. NOC, alongside our members, will continue engaging with lawmakers, tracking developments closely, and pushing for a Farm Bill that meets the needs of the growing organic sector.
For additional background, you can also revisit our earlier analyses:
Congress Passes Controversial Budget Bill with Major Implications for Organic Agriculture (July 2025)
House Farm Bill Fails to Address the Needs of the Growing Organic Sector (May 2024)
We’ll continue to keep members informed as the process moves forward.