Louisiana Farmers Flock to Ruston for “One Big Beautiful Bill” Celebration with Speaker Mike Johnson, AFBF President Zippy Duvall
By Kristen Oaks-White
Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
Ruston, LA – With harvest machines parked and harvest briefly on hold, Louisiana farmers made their way from across the state to Lincoln Hall in Ruston to celebrate one of the most significant agricultural wins in recent memory—the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a sweeping budget and policy package championed by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation hosted the celebration, which featured a townhall conversation with Speaker Johnson, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, and Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation President Richard Fontenot. Farmers filled the room, some having driven four to five hours, to show their appreciation for federal action many say was long overdue.
“They’re parking combines and tractors during harvest season to come share their appreciation,” said Richard Fontenot, a rice and soybean farmer from Evangeline Parish. “We’re not just here to celebrate a bill—we’re here to celebrate what agriculture means to this state.”
The “One Big Beautiful Bill,” signed into law earlier this month, represents a major milestone for rural communities. It contains billions in agricultural investments, including updates to reference prices, enhanced crop insurance tools, new trade promotion funding, and natural disaster relief. The bill was shaped in part by input from Louisiana producers and national ag leaders through close consultation with Speaker Johnson’s office.
“We’re really excited to deliver the One Big Beautiful Bill for the American people,” said Speaker Johnson. “All boats are going to rise across the economy. All hardworking Americans are going to do better. But specifically in the ag community—with farmers and ranchers—they’ll get a lot of assistance here.”
“They’ll have more opportunity for loans,” he added. “The commodity prices will be addressed. We’re going to have a decrease in trade barriers around the world. The tax piece is so important because small operators, small businesses, small farms will be able to expense a lot of their investments in growing their farms and adding more and more.”
Johnson emphasized that this legislation is more than numbers on a page—it’s personal.
“Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District is my district,” Johnson said. “It’s rural America, the heartland. It’s one of the most important ag districts in the country. So, when we serve this district well, we serve America well.”
AFBF President Zippy Duvall reflected on what helped make the bill possible: farmers speaking up.
“Our stories are so important,” Duvall said. “We think that everybody knows what we do and why we do it on the farm, and that’s not true. Less than two percent of us are on the farm doing that. With understanding of what we do and why we do it comes trust, and with that trust comes support.”
He recalled a recent visit with President Trump as proof.
“He had question after question after question,” Duvall said. “Why do you need crop-protection tools like pesticides? What do cows really do around people? You’d think someone like him would understand, but he’s a real estate guy. Why should we expect him to know that?”
Duvall said that experience reaffirmed the value of grassroots engagement, especially from organizations like Farm Bureau.
“When we call all our grassroots to react to the issue we’re facing, it makes a huge difference,” he said.
While the “One Big Beautiful Bill” provides historic wins, Johnson reminded the crowd that agriculture’s challenges are far from over. Trade deals, input costs, labor shortages, and disaster relief all remain top priorities heading into the next legislative session.
“We’re very optimistic about the Farm Bill for this year because we put so many of the components in the One Big Beautiful Bill,” Johnson said. “It makes the Farm Bill a lighter lift. There’s a lot of hope and optimism that we’ll be able to deliver that product by the end of the year.”
Fontenot urged Johnson to keep trade and farm program funding top of mind.
“There’s a lot of anxiousness in my crop—rice—without more trade deals,” he said. “Other row crops are still in terrible prices. Trade is key. But the CCC (Commodity Credit Corporation) needs replenishment, and we need to keep farmers around long enough to exercise the benefits to come from this bill.”
Zippy Duvall also pointed to the growing opportunity to address farm labor reform, saying he and USDA Secretary Rollins were closely aligned with Speaker Johnson on the issue.
At its heart, the event in Ruston wasn’t just about a policy victory, it was about the people who make agriculture possible and the power of working together.
“It’s a good thing for the American people, a good thing for the community,” Johnson said. “We’ll continue to work in partnership, like we did today.”