Legislative & Policy Roundup

NYS Agriculture and Markets confirmed the invasive box tree moth in Nassau County in September, the first find outside the quarantine area set in 2024. The department is asking Long Island residents to report sightings while it continues surveys, since the pest can seriously damage boxwood.

USDA FSA is taking public comment through December 14, 2026 on revisions to its Disaster Assistance-General and Critical Customer Data (AD-2047) information collections, including electronic filing under One Farmer, One File.

The VA approved $2.681 billion in non-recurring maintenance projects at its facilities in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026, funded from a $4.8 billion budget.

EPA announced an American Farmer First policy that groups several actions, including a proposal to reallocate 100% of additional 2025 small refinery exemption volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard. It also includes right-to-repair guidance and work to end engine derates caused by diesel exhaust fluid system failures.

On October 13, 2026, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin made a major "American Farmer First" policy announcement during a multi-state agricultural tour in Iowa and Wisconsin. According to the EPA media advisory issued by the Office of the Administrator, the announcement relates to reducing regulatory burdens on farmers. Full policy details are available on the EPA newsroom website. FVC NY should monitor for any impacts on NY farms, particularly regarding water quality or pesticide regulations.

USDA AMS awarded $86.6 million to about 609 projects in 56 states and territories supporting fruits, vegetables, nursery crops, and other specialty crops. The full project list by state is on the AMS program page.

A USDA APHIS final rule removes chrysanthemum white rust restrictions on imported cut chrysanthemum flowers and moves cut-flower import requirements into an online database. The rule takes effect November 9, 2026.

USDA FSA is issuing about $1.8 billion in 2026 annual rental payments to producers enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, including Grassland CRP.

The VA started a pilot with CLEAR identity-verification kiosks that help veterans set up VA.gov accounts at six VA medical centers, including the Brooklyn VA Medical Center. The service is free and optional.

USDA FSA expects about $13.8 billion in 2025 crop year Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage payments, subject to 5.7% sequestration and a $160,000 payment limit. For 2025 only, producers receive the higher of the ARC or PLC payment.

The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets awarded $3 million to 10 organizations through its Agriculture and Food Systems Workforce Development Grant Program. Funded programs cover food processing, food safety, farm equipment operation, butcher apprenticeships, and agricultural data.

USDA will spend $180 million over two years to sequence and characterize the National Plant Germplasm System collections and is expanding its agreement with the Justice Department on competition in seed and input markets.

The VA awarded $16 million to 91 community organizations that run adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans. New York recipients include groups in Windham, Buffalo, Ghent, and New York City.

USDA Rural Development published a final rule, with a comment period, that changes how the REAP grant and loan program for farmers and rural small businesses works. Projects must be fully built and operating before applying, multi-location projects are no longer eligible, solar and wind systems on cropland are discouraged, and application window dates will be set in upcoming program notices.

USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) has released actuarial updates for the 2027 crop year. A notable new option is the Fire Insurance Protection-Smoke Index (FIP-SI) endorsement, offering New York fruit and specialty crop growers additional protection against smoke-related crop damage. RMA also released projected prices for the 2027 Common Crop Insurance Policy. Farmers should consult their crop insurance agent to review coverage options before the sales closing deadlines for their crops.

USDA Farm Service Agency has implemented updates to the Farm Loan Programs. Changes include revised terms, eligibility criteria, and application processes. New York farmer veterans should contact their local FSA office or visit the FSA website for details on how these changes may affect direct and guaranteed farm loan applications. For FVC NY members seeking startup or operating capital, now is a good time to review loan options.

FSA farm loan rates that took effect October 1 are 5.375% for direct operating loans, 6.25% for direct farm ownership loans, 2.25% for down payment loans, and 3.75% for emergency loans.

The one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill ran through September 30, 2026. The House passed its farm bill in April, and the Senate Agriculture Committee advanced its own version on September 16, but the two bills have not been reconciled. Crop insurance is permanently authorized and does not expire.

Dairy producers can enroll in 2027 Dairy Margin Coverage through their local FSA office from October 5 through December 18, 2026. Coverage levels run from $4.00 to $9.50 per hundredweight, and the Tier 1 production limit is 6 million pounds.

VA awarded $111.9 million to 191 community organizations under the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. The full list of grantees is on the program's website.

NRCS will offer $1 billion for the Regenerative Pilot Program in fiscal year 2027: $650 million through EQIP and $350 million through CSP. Producers apply with one application at their local NRCS Service Center by their state's FY2027 ranking dates.

Round 4 of the Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program offers $10 million for aggregation hubs, storage, and shared kitchens that prepare New York-grown food for K-12 schools. It is open to applicants in the Capital Region, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, and Finger Lakes. Applications are due January 22, 2027.

SBA declared a disaster for Columbia and Rensselaer counties, with neighboring Albany, Dutchess, Greene, Saratoga, Ulster, and Washington counties also eligible. Economic injury loans are open to businesses and small agricultural cooperatives. Physical damage applications are due November 23, 2026, and economic injury applications are due June 24, 2027.

County Soil and Water Conservation Districts can apply for farmers in four tracks: livestock methane reduction, adaptation and resiliency, Healthy Soils NY, and agricultural forestry. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on November 23, 2026.

The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing on five nominations: a chairman of the Board of Veterans' Appeals and four judges for the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

The LAND Project, run by the Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust for the state, offers grants of up to $50,000 for farm startup or expansion, equipment, livestock, buildings, and marketing. Applications are accepted September 23 through November 30, 2026.

Ag and Markets released updated draft eligibility guidelines for funding the Climate Resilient Farming program through the 2022 Environmental Bond Act. Written comments are due by 5 p.m. on October 16, 2026.

USDA said mandatory dairy checkoff assessments will no longer fund environmental, social, and governance (ESG) work, including projects of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. It also told AMS to stop ESG-focused spending across all commodity checkoff programs.

More than 457,000 veterans with active Veterans' Group Life Insurance policies will not have to pay premiums for November 2026 through January 2027. No action is needed. Veterans who paid ahead can get a credit or a refund.

The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee advanced its farm bill, the Agricultural Act of 2026, to the full Senate. The House passed its version, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, in April.

Round 31 of the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program awarded about $25 million from the Environmental Protection Fund and the Environmental Bond Act. The largest regional shares went to Central New York and the Finger Lakes.

FSA opened 2026 ARC and PLC enrollment from September 16 to December 11, 2026, and 2027 enrollment from November 2, 2026 to March 15, 2027. More than 30 million new base acres are being added. Producers who miss the December 11 deadline keep their 2025 election and get no 2026 payments.

VA awarded $855 million in Supportive Services for Veteran Families grants and $318 million in Grant and Per Diem grants to 680 organizations. The grants begin October 1, 2026.

Ag and Markets issued a request for information seeking municipalities, public benefit corporations, local development corporations, or nonprofits to run Round 3 of its socially and economically disadvantaged farmers grant program. Letters of interest are due October 7, 2026.

Executive Order 14426 directs the Departments of War and Veterans Affairs to share service records on an ongoing basis and to deploy new digital tools within 180 days. It also directs updates to the Transition Assistance Program to connect departing service members with jobs, training, and VA benefits before they separate.