North Carolina Farm Act 2025: What Regenerative Farmers Need to Know
The Battle Lines Are Drawn Over the Future of Sustainable Agriculture in the Tar Heel State
The NC Farm Act 2025 remains in House committee after passing Senate. Key provisions affect wetlands, pesticide liability, and raw milk sales for regenerative farmers.
What You'll Learn in This Article:
Why the NC Farm Act 2025 has stalled in the House after passing the Senate
How grassroots advocacy saved raw milk herd-shares from being banned
Which wetlands protections are being eliminated and what it means for your farm
Why new pesticide liability shields could hurt the regenerative movement
What water infrastructure funding opportunities are available for sustainable farms
How the new feral swine control measures will help protect regenerative operations
The North Carolina Farm Act 2025 sits at a crossroads. After passing the Senate on June 17, this sweeping agricultural legislation remains stuck in the House Rules Committee – and that delay might be the best thing that's happened for regenerative farmers this year.
Why? Because this bill reveals a fundamental battle over farming's future in North Carolina. While some provisions support sustainable practices, others threaten to roll back decades of environmental progress. For those of us rebuilding food sovereignty through regenerative agriculture, understanding this legislation is critical.
Raw Milk Victory Shows the Power of Speaking Truth
Here's what happens when farmers unite: Nearly 100 raw milk advocates packed Senate committee hearings and changed the course of this bill. Initially, the legislation threatened to ban all raw milk distribution – including the herd-share agreements that have legally operated for seven years.
The grassroots campaign, led by the Weston A. Price Foundation and local producers, forced legislators to back down. They preserved herd-shares, though new restrictions on raw milk sales for animal consumption take effect July 1, 2025.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler claimed raw milk has been sold "with a wink" as pet food. But regenerative farmers know the truth: consumers want clean, unprocessed food from healthy animals raised on pasture. This partial victory proves that organized advocacy works.
Wetlands Rollback: 2.5 Million Acres at Risk
Now for the bad news. The Farm Act aligns state wetland protections with federal standards, effectively eliminating safeguards for 60% of North Carolina's wetlands. That's 2.5 million acres losing protection.
For regenerative farmers, this is a disaster waiting to happen. Wetlands are nature's kidneys – they filter agricultural runoff, prevent flooding, and provide habitat for beneficial species. The Southern Environmental Law Center warns these changes will accelerate development in areas that naturally protect our farms.
Think about it: Every wetland paved over means more flooding downstream. Every natural filter destroyed means more pollution in our watersheds. For farmers working to build healthy soil systems, these rollbacks undermine everything we're trying to achieve.
Pesticide Companies Get a Legal Shield
Section 19 of the bill hands chemical manufacturers a gift: legal protection when their products carry EPA-approved labels. Critics call it a "nearly insurmountable burden" for people harmed by pesticides to seek justice.
Bayer (which bought Monsanto) supports this provision. So does the NC Chamber of Commerce. They claim it protects "crop protection tools" and the "rule of law." But here's what they're not saying: This shields companies from accountability even when new evidence of harm emerges.
For regenerative farmers who've invested in building chemical-free systems, this provision sends a clear message – the state still favors chemical agriculture over biological solutions. It's a step backward when we need to be moving forward.
Water Infrastructure: Following the Money
Not everything in this bill is problematic. The North Carolina Farm Act 2025 includes significant water infrastructure investments that regenerative farmers can tap into:
Agriculture Cost Share Program: Up to 75% funding for best management practices
AgWRAP: Covers wells, pond construction, and conservation irrigation
Strategic Water Plan Update: First revision since 2010, due October 2026
These programs leverage over $2 billion in recent state water appropriations. For farms implementing swales, ponds, and water-harvesting systems, this funding could be transformative.
Feral Swine: Finally, Serious Action
North Carolina ranks 7th worst nationally for wild hog damage. The new Feral Swine Working Group will coordinate control efforts addressing $1.5 billion in annual agricultural damage nationwide.
For regenerative operations using rotational grazing or diverse cropping systems, feral swine are especially destructive. They tear up pastures, destroy cover crops, and contaminate water sources. Organized control efforts can't come soon enough.
Implementation Timeline: Mark Your Calendar
Different provisions take effect at different times:
July 1, 2025: Raw milk restrictions for animal consumption
December 1, 2025: Enhanced crop theft penalties
January 1, 2026: Propane assessment increase
October 1, 2026: Strategic Water Plan deadline
Regional Farmers Respond
Reactions vary by region. Eastern counties worry about wetlands and water quality. Western farmers recovering from Hurricane Helene focus on flood mitigation. Coastal areas fear losing natural storm buffers.
The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, representing 2,500+ members, continues advocating for "fair farm and food policies." Though they haven't taken a formal position, member concerns center on balancing production support with environmental protection.
What This Means for the Regenerative Movement
The NC Farm Act 2025 embodies competing visions for agriculture. Water infrastructure investments and conservation programs offer real benefits. But provisions weakening environmental protections and shielding pesticide manufacturers raise serious questions about sustainability.
The successful campaign to preserve raw milk herd-shares proves something important: When regenerative farmers organize, we can influence policy. With the bill stalled in committee, we have time to mobilize around provisions that matter most.
Take Action Now
This legislation's final form isn't set in stone. Contact your House representatives. Share your story about why wetlands matter to your farm. Explain how pesticide liability protections undermine regenerative practices. Demand support for water infrastructure without environmental rollbacks.
The path forward requires vigilance and engagement. This bill isn't perfect, but it provides tools we can use while highlighting where more work is needed. Whether it ultimately helps or hinders regenerative agriculture depends on how we engage with implementation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the current status of the NC Farm Act 2025? The bill passed the Senate 31-14 on June 17, 2025, and currently sits in the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee. No floor votes or gubernatorial action have occurred. Various stakeholder groups are lobbying for changes before it moves forward.
How will the raw milk provisions affect my herd-share? Existing herd-share agreements remain legal and protected. However, new restrictions on raw milk sales for animal consumption take effect July 1, 2025. The Agriculture and Forestry Awareness Study Commission will investigate full legalization options for future legislation.
Can regenerative farmers access the water infrastructure funding? Yes! The Agriculture Cost Share Program provides up to 75% funding for best management practices. AgWRAP covers wells, ponds, and irrigation systems. Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District office to apply. These programs specifically support practices that align with regenerative principles.