Gipson: The “OBBB” Puts Americans and Farmers First
By Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson
Earlier this month, while we celebrated our American Independence on the Fourth of July in various ways here in Mississippi and across the Country, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” This historic legislation is a cornerstone of the President’s policy agenda that he campaigned for and was elected on in 2024. The OBBB truly is a great success for America in so many ways, and by putting Americans and Farmers First, it is quite appropriate to have become law on the Fourth of July.
For working Americans including our farmers, ranchers and landowners, the OBBB was and is a series of HUGE “wins.” Perhaps the greatest win was the significant tax relief delivered to all hardworking Americans. Recognizing that “Farm Security is National Security,” these wins through the OBBB will strengthen our American producers for years – for generations – of future farm families.
Providing Tax Relief. With the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 set to expire soon, our working farmers, ranchers and all workers were set to experience significant tax increases next year. The OBBB not only prevented those tax increases, it also provided huge tax benefits for our farmers including permanently raising the Estate Tax a/k/a Death Tax exemption level to $15 million, a major help to ensure our American family farms stay in American family hands. The OBBB also provided permanent status for 100% immediate expensing plus double qualifying Section 179 expenses so our that farmers and ranchers can continue to afford to invest in our American farm operations. In addition, the bill makes permanent the 20% business income deduction, provides for exclusion of interest expense for family farm operations, as well as other beneficial tax provisions.
Restoring Farm Certainty. When Congress allowed the federal Farm Bill to expire in 2023, many of our American producers were left wondering what farm safety net provisions would exist into the future, putting crop insurance, market promotion, animal disease response and other key agricultural programs in jeopardy. The OBBB included significant policy items that finalize many of the key Farm Bill provisions including firming up Title I Commodity and Title XI Crop Insurance programs, adjusting reference prices to keep up with inflation and placing farmers on more sure footing now and heading into future years. Recognizing real threats to our poultry and egg food supply such as “Bird Flu” and the more recent Screwworm threat to our beef industry, the OBBB invests more in defending our food supply against animal disease.
Winning the Trade War. The existing ag trade deficit and ongoing “trade war” discussed much in the press has been raging for over four years, but the OBBB includes key provisions to help Americans and American Agriculture win the trade war. Through investment in USDA market access and expansion programs, USDA and the States will be able to tap new and emerging markets as well as capitalize on the new trade deals being secured by the Trump Administration.
Growing Farm-to-Table. Known in the ag business as “Specialty Crops,” fresh and locally-sourced fruits, nuts and vegetables are key to efforts to improve American health through the federal Make American Healthy Again initiative. The OBBB more than doubles investments in the USDA Specialty Crop Research and includes significant expansion of Specialty Crop Block Grants available to further enhance the availability and affordability of local fresh farm-raised food, further supporting the Farm-to-Table movement. In Mississippi, we are already working toward this goal with our “Make Mississippi Healthy Again” initiative. Learn more at www.makemshealthyagain.com.
Saving Taxpayer Dollars. With much emphasis lately on wasteful federal government spending, the OBBB delivers real results to save taxpayers as much as $186 billion dollars, specifically through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as “SNAP.” The bill restores general work requirements for SNAP recipients, including for parents of children 14 or older and for able-bodied adults without dependents to age 64. The bill also ends SNAP eligibility for individuals who are not a U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent U.S. resident. States are also required to begin assuming a larger portion of SNAP costs starting in 2027, ensuring greater accountability. Finally, the OBBB ends various SNAP loopholes and wasteful welfare programs.
These are just a few highlights of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” but they demonstrate major policy successes – not just for our American and Mississippi farmers, but for all freedom-loving, hard-working Americans. With perfect timing, on the very day that President Trump signed the OBBB into law, July 4, 2025, the nationwide year-long celebration of America’s 250th Birthday began. I want to personally invite you to join us as we celebrate October 2-13 at the America250 Mississippi State Fair. From the Declaration of Independence to the OBBB, we have a lot to celebrate this year!
Andy Gipson is Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce. The opinions expressed in this column are those of the writer and not necessarily that of this publication.
