Tuberville, Husted Introduce Bill to Modernize USDA Loan Rules and Support Alabama's Family Farms

March 18, 2026 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville is pushing to overhaul what he calls outdated federal loan rules that make it harder for modern family farms to access critical U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs.

Tuberville, joined by U.S. Senator Jon Husted of Ohio, introduced the USDA Loan Modernization Act, legislation designed to update eligibility standards for Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans and expand access for multi‑generational, family‑run operations.

With 95 percent of Alabama farms owned and operated by families or family partnerships, Tuberville said the bill is aimed squarely at protecting the backbone of the state's agricultural economy.

"Family farms are the backbone of America's agriculture industry, and Alabama's family farms play a huge part in our national food security," Tuberville said. "The system is outdated and does nothing to serve these hardworking farmers. This bill goes to great lengths to update the loan programs that currently hold these farms back. Supporting those who put food on our tables is the least we can do here in Congress – I hope my colleagues join Sen. Husted and I in empowering family farms across the country."

Husted echoed that message, noting that the structure of family farms has changed significantly over the past several decades.

"Ninety-five percent of farms in Ohio are family-owned and operated, and they shouldn't be penalized by outdated rules for securing their families' and their farms' future," Husted said. "This bill would modernize USDA loan rules so they reflect how family farms operate today and ensure they can continue to grow and pass their legacy on to the next generation."

Fixing Rules That Don't Match Today's Farms

Under current FSA loan requirements, one individual must hold a majority ownership stake and personally run the farm. That structure, Tuberville argues, doesn't reflect how modern family farms operate-especially those passed down through multiple generations or run as partnerships.

Because of these rules, some well‑run farms are disqualified from USDA loan programs simply due to their ownership structure, not their financial need or operational strength.

The USDA Loan Modernization Act would:

• Update eligibility standards to reflect multi‑member, multi‑generational ownership

• Expand access to guaranteed and direct operating loans

• Improve access to emergency loans

• Modernize real estate loan eligibility for family partnerships

The goal, Tuberville said, is to ensure that federal programs designed to support farmers actually reach the producers who need them.

Alabama's Agricultural Footprint

Alabama is home to more than 37,000 farms, and the overwhelming majority are family-owned. Agriculture remains one of the state's largest economic engines, with cattle, poultry, row crops, and timber driving rural economies from the Tennessee Valley to the Wiregrass.

Tuberville, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has repeatedly emphasized the need for federal farm policy to reflect real-world conditions.

"Farming is not theoretical. It's affected by weather, markets, labor shortages, rising input costs, and federal regulations," he said in previous remarks about USDA programs. "Our farmers need programs that work in the real world, not one-size-fits-all policies written by people who have never set foot on a farm."

What Comes Next

The full text of the USDA Loan Modernization Act has been released, and the bill now awaits committee consideration. Tuberville said he hopes the bipartisan nature of the issue will help move the legislation forward quickly.

Tuberville serves on the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans' Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees. He has made agricultural policy a central focus of his work in Washington, frequently highlighting the importance of protecting family farms from regulatory and financial pressures.