In a significant bipartisan effort to bolster sustainable aviation and support U.S. agriculture, the Farm to Fly Act of 2025 has been reintroduced in both chambers of Congress. This legislation aims to accelerate the production and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), offering new markets for U.S. farmers and enhancing domestic energy resources.
Senate Reintroduction
On January 16, Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Joni Ernst (R-IA) reintroduced the Farm to Fly Act in the Senate as S.144. This bill seeks to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to include sustainable aviation fuel within the definition of biofuels, thereby expanding the eligibility of SAF in existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) bioenergy programs.
Senator Moran emphasized the dual benefits of the legislation, stating, “Sustainable aviation fuel is a promising alternative fuel source that can provide new markets for farmers while increasing our domestic energy production and security.”
House Reintroduction
Following the Senate’s lead, on February 28, a bipartisan group of House representatives, led by Congressman Max Miller (R-OH), introduced the companion bill in the House. Co-sponsors include Representatives Mike Flood (R-NE), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Mike Bost (R-IL), Don Bacon (R-NE), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Mark Alford (R-MO), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Michelle Fischbach (R-MN).
Congressman Miller highlighted the act’s potential impact, stating, “The Farm to Fly Act will provide access to new markets for our nation’s farmers, drive rural economic development, and strengthen our domestic energy resources.”
Key Provisions of the Farm to Fly Act
The Farm to Fly Act of 2025 includes several critical components aimed at integrating SAF into the nation’s energy and agricultural framework:
• Clarification of SAF Eligibility: The act seeks to explicitly include SAF within USDA bioenergy programs, thereby expanding markets for American agricultural products used in aviation bioenergy.
• Promotion of Interagency Collaboration: It mandates greater cooperation among USDA agencies and other federal entities to promote the development and commercial adoption of SAF.
• Establishment of a Unified SAF Definition: The legislation aims to affirm a common definition of SAF for USDA purposes, aligning with industry standards to facilitate the effective contribution of U.S. crops to renewable aviation fuels.
Industry and Legislative Support
The reintroduction of the Farm to Fly Act has garnered widespread support from various stakeholders:
• Airlines for America: The trade association expressed strong support, stating, “The Farm to Fly Act is a win-win-win: The bill supports America’s farmers, bolsters energy independence, and incentivizes production of SAF for the aviation sector.”
• Renewable Fuels Association (RFA): The RFA praised the bipartisan effort, noting that the bill would help create new markets for America’s farmers by affirming a common definition of SAF for USDA programs.
• Gevo: A leading renewable fuels company, Gevo, expressed enthusiasm about the legislation, highlighting its potential to diversify domestic fuel production and create new opportunities for farmers and rural communities.
Background and Legislative Journey
The concept of the Farm to Fly Act has been under discussion in previous congressional sessions but has gained renewed momentum due to increasing emphasis on sustainable energy and agricultural innovation. The act’s reintroduction aligns with broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation sector and promote the use of renewable energy sources.
The bill has been referred to the respective agriculture committees in both the Senate and the House for further deliberation. Given the bipartisan support and backing from industry stakeholders, there is optimism about the bill’s progression through the legislative process.
Implications for the Aviation and Agricultural Sectors
The successful passage of the Farm to Fly Act could have significant implications:
• For Farmers: The act would open new markets for agricultural products, particularly those used as feedstocks for SAF, thereby providing additional revenue streams and promoting rural economic development.
• For the Aviation Industry: Increased production and availability of SAF would aid the industry’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and meet sustainability goals.
• For Energy Independence: By promoting domestic production of renewable fuels, the act would contribute to reducing reliance on foreign energy sources and enhancing national energy security.
As the Farm to Fly Act of 2025 moves through the legislative process, stakeholders from the agriculture and aviation sectors will be closely monitoring its progress, hopeful that its enactment will usher in a new era of sustainable energy collaboration.