March 27, 2026 – Washington, D.C. – Representatives from the United States Peanut Federation
(USPF) traveled to Washington, D.C. this week to advocate for U.S. peanut industry priorities.
During the trip, USPF representatives met with Members of the U.S. House of Representatives
and U.S. Senate, as well as senior agricultural staff and Administration officials, to engage in
discussions on current economic conditions, trade markets, and nutrition opportunities.
H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, or commonly referred to as
“Farm Bill 2.0,” was recently approved by the U.S. House Agriculture Committee. This
legislation builds upon the traditional Farm Bill provisions included in last year’s final passage
of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). USPF enjoyed meeting with the Members
of Congress who were involved in securing key peanut priorities in these two legislative
initiatives.
Additionally, USPF representatives shared updates on the state of the peanut farm economy,
including current cost of production and estimated financial losses for the 2026 crop year. As the
financial condition continues to be proven unsustainable for Southeast farms, USPF heard from
Members of Congress on the potential for additional agricultural economic assistance payments
this year. Although payments from the 2026 Farmer Bridge Assistance program have helped,
there is still a significant gap to fill before and after the OBBBA safety net payments are
disbursed this fall.
“Alabama’s peanut farmers are facing real economic pressures, and it’s critical that their voices are heard at the national level. We are grateful for the opportunity to engage directly with policymakers in Washington and appreciate their willingness to listen and work toward meaningful solutions. Strengthening the farm safety net and ensuring long-term stability for producers is essential, not just for our farmers, but for the future of a reliable and nutritious food supply," said Libbie Johnson, Executive Director of Alabama Peanut Producers Association.
“We appreciate our friends in Congress listening to the concerns of the U.S. peanut industry and
working with us to find solutions to our current economic situation,” said Chris Chammoun,
executive director of the American Peanut Shellers Association.
“We once again appreciate the opportunity to meet with our representatives, and for their
continued focus on supporting one of America’s greatest assets- a secure and nutritious food
supply. We also are grateful in their listening to current economic challenges and future actions
in keeping the U.S. agricultural supply chain viable for decades to come,” said Jamie Brown,
USPF chairman.