b'He also pointed to the conservation title, the horticulture and organics sections and the growing footprint of biosecurity programs that rely on seed sector expertise.The Questions That Go DeeperAudience questions pushed the conversation into areas where policy meets practice.One participant asked whether farm labor could be addressed in the bill.A lot of the labor issues are addressed outside of the Farm Bill, Pachman says. But a farm bill could make it easier to research and implement technologies that minimize the need for labor.Another question touched on why specialty crops seem to receive less support.Oftentimes a lot of the attention of the government is directed toward row crops and less toward specialty crops, he says.When someone asked about the newly announced regen-erative agriculture pilot, Pachman was cautious.I think there are a lot of details we need to learn, he says. But generally speaking, it takes money from equip and CSP and moves it into a pilot program.Even the finer points of crop insurance brought his per-spective back to the underlying structural challenge.It plays into the dynamic of why row crops need more assistance than specialty crops, he says.Why Advocacy Still MattersThe conversation shifted from policy to action as Pachman explained how individual stories influence congressional pri-orities.What really resonated with me was hearing directly from the people who were affected by these programs, he says. Stories and personal anecdotes stick a lot more than general focus.He urged members to talk with their representatives, share specific examples and make the connection between seed innovation and broader agricultural resilience.Every American has a direct interest in having a full five-year Farm Bill, he says.A Realistic View of What Happens NextAs the session wrapped up, someone asked the question thats been hanging over the industry for months: where exactly is the Farm Bill right now?Neither version of a Farm Bill has been introduced in either chamber, Pachman says. Were kind of still stuck at square one.He noted that as the election year moves closer, legislative opportunities will shrink, not grow. That leaves stakeholders urging Congress to act before the window closes again.The Farm Bill may remain tangled in politics, but Pachmans message was steady. Understanding the bills foundations, recognizing its importance to the seed sector and speaking up while theres still time are the best ways to make progress.SWJANUARY 2026SEEDWORLD.COM /21'