Arizona Agriculture Connection-Ag Report 10.8.25

Arizona Agriculture Connection: October Update and Upcoming Events

Welcome back, Arizona Aggies, to another edition of the Arizona Agriculture Connection. As we embrace the spooky season this October, there's significant federal news impacting our community: the expiration of the farm bill as of October 1st. This expiration brings both challenges and opportunities, which we'll explore in this update, along with local events and important consultations.

Farm Bill Expiration

The federal farm bill, a critical piece of legislation for agricultural stakeholders, expired on October 1st. This isn't the first time we've faced such an expiration—in 2024, a similar situation led to an eventual extension. While some impacts are immediate, the most disruptive effects aren't expected until January 1st when permanent laws from the 1930s and 1940s could take effect. These older laws do not align with modern market realities. Fortunately, the expired bill included provisions that provide a buffer until 2031 in areas such as trade promotion funding, conservation programs, and crop insurance with the One Big Beautiful Bill. However, significant issues remain that may affect the agricultural community.

US-Mexico-Canada Agreement Joint Review

In addition to the farm bill news, there’s an important update regarding North American trade. The Office of the United States Trade Representative has initiated a public consultation process in preparation for the six-year joint review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Representatives from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada will evaluate the agreement's performance, consider recommendations, and decide on potential extensions or actions. The consultation is open to the public, and we encourage you to submit comments or testimonies regarding the operation, compliance, and potential improvements of the agreement. Links to submit comments are available HERE. Comments must be filed under docket USTR-2025-0004 by 11:59 p.m. EST on November 1, 2025. 

Local Events

In local news, the Arizona Department of Agriculture is hosting regional stakeholder meetings. Make sure to mark your calendars for the following dates:

• October 23rd in Phoenix

• October 24th in Yuma

• October 30th in Flagstaff

Additional information about these events can be found HERE, along with more details regarding the Phoenix meeting on our events calendar HERE.

Furthermore, don't miss out on the Women's Leadership Committee's annual Ag Social, set for the evening of October 22nd. It will be held at the stunning sunflower fields of Sweet Flower Home in Buckeye. This is a fantastic opportunity to network with fellow members of the agriculture community. You can find the RSVP link HERE.

Thank you for tuning in to this edition of Arizona Agriculture Connection. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events, and remember to stay engaged with the ongoing legislative and trade developments. Catch you next week!