The Farm to Fly Act of 2025 would amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to explicitly include sustainable aviation fuel within USDA bioenergy and biorefinery programs. It adds a statutory definition of “sustainable aviation fuel” that ties eligibility to recognized fuel standards, limits certain feedstocks and production methods, and requires at least a 50 percent lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction compared with petroleum-based jet fuel. The bill also directs the Secretary of Agriculture to coordinate a department-wide “Farm to Fly” collaboration initiative to advance sustainable aviation fuel development, commercialization, and public-private partnerships.
In practical terms, the bill would expand the scope of USDA programs under sections 9001 and 9003 of the 2002 farm law to cover sustainable aviation fuel alongside other biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biobased products. It would create a clearer federal framework for aviation biofuels by linking USDA support to aviation fuel standards and emissions criteria, while also encouraging rural economic development and new markets for agricultural feedstocks. The measure is aimed at integrating farmers, foresters, and biofuel producers into the emerging sustainable aviation fuel market.
Impact
The bill would amend federal agricultural energy provisions, especially the definitions and program authorities in sections 9001 and 9003 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101 and 8103). It would broaden USDA eligibility and program purposes to include sustainable aviation fuel, potentially affecting grant, assistance, and development priorities for biorefineries, renewable chemicals, and biobased manufacturing. The bill would also establish a USDA coordination mandate to support commercialization and market development for aviation biofuels, with downstream effects for farmers, feedstock suppliers, fuel producers, and aviation-sector partners.
Sentiment
The available context suggests generally favorable sentiment. The bill was introduced with a sizable bipartisan group of House cosponsors, indicating cross-party interest in supporting agricultural markets, rural development, and lower-carbon aviation fuels. The bill’s findings emphasize domestic energy security, farm income opportunities, and the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge, reflecting a broadly supportive framing rather than a contentious one. No committee debate or recorded votes were provided, so there is no evidence of formal opposition in the available materials.
Contention
No specific committee objections or vote-based controversies are available in the provided record. The main policy issues implicit in the text are the bill’s eligibility limits and technical definitions: it excludes fuels derived from petroleum or palm fatty acid distillates, disallows certain coprocessing pathways with non-biomass feedstocks, and requires certification of lifecycle emissions reductions. Those provisions could matter to fuel producers, feedstock suppliers, and stakeholders with different views on what should qualify as sustainable aviation fuel, but no named opponents or disputed points appear in the supplied materials.
Farm to Fly Act of 2025This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to integrate the advancement of sustainable aviation fuels into its programs.Specifically, this bill includes sustainable aviation fuel as an advanced biofuel for the purposes of several USDA bioenergy programs that primarily provide support and incentives for renewable energy projects.For purposes of these programs, the bill defines sustainable aviation fuel as liquid fuel, the portion of which is not kerosene, which (1) meets specific international standards, (2) is not derived from coprocessing specific materials (e.g., triglycerides) with a non-biomass feedstock, (3) is not derived from palm fatty acid distillates or petroleum, and (4) is certified as having a lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction percentage of at least 50% compared with petroleum-based jet fuel (based on specific standards and agreements).In addition, the bill specifically includes fostering and advancing sustainable aviation fuels as part of the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program.Further, USDA must carry out a comprehensive and integrated pursuit of all USDA mission areas for the advancement of sustainable aviation fuels, including throughthe identification of opportunities to maximize the development and commercialization of the fuels,supporting rural economic development through improved sustainability for aviation, andadvancing public-private partnerships.