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Plant Based Products Council Convenes Ag Bioeconomy Policy Summit in Washington
Industry leaders unite on Capitol Hill to advance Farm Bill priorities, advocate for policies that attract investment and accelerate America’s ag bioeconomy
May 14, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) today concluded its 2026 Ag Bioeconomy Policy Summit, bringing together more than 60 attendees representing dozens of organizations from across the U.S. bioeconomy to advocate for policies that strengthen domestic biomanufacturing, expand markets for agricultural feedstocks, and advance America’s leadership in plant-based products innovation.
Over the course of the summit, PBPC members and partners held more than 20 meetings on Capitol Hill with lawmakers and congressional staff to discuss the urgent need for continued federal investment in the nation’s growing ag bioeconomy — including support for the USDA BioPreferred Program and key Farm Bill provisions that support biobased manufacturing and rural economic development.
Summit attendees also heard from policymakers championing the biobased product sector, including keynotes from Joe Gilson, Chief of Staff for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development and Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), along with leading voices engaged in the ag bioeconomy and America’s competitiveness from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, the Department of Energy, USDA, and the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee.
The summit came at a pivotal moment as Congress continues negotiations surrounding the Farm Bill and related agricultural and manufacturing policy priorities. PBPC members urged lawmakers to preserve and strengthen support for USDA’s BioPreferred Program, a cornerstone initiative that drives demand for American-made biobased products and economic opportunities for U.S. farmers and manufacturers. Summit attendees also advocated for tools to help the industry develop the biomanufacturing capacity and scale needed for the U.S. to be a global leader in the growing sector.
“The momentum around the ag bioeconomy has never been stronger,” said James Glueck, PBPC Executive Director. “This year’s summit demonstrated the growing alignment between agriculture, manufacturing, consumer demand, national security, and economic competitiveness. Our members came to Washington with a clear message: investing in biobased products and domestic biomanufacturing is an investment in American innovation, rural communities, supply chain resilience, and the future of U.S. competitiveness.”
Throughout the summit, industry leaders emphasized the importance of:
- Maintaining and modernizing the USDA BioPreferred Program;
- Advancing Farm Bill provisions that support biobased manufacturing and market development;
- Strengthening domestic biomanufacturing capacity; and
- Accelerating the adoption of renewable, plant-based products and materials across industries.
Participants represented the full ag bioeconomy value chain, including farmers, bioplastics producers, renewable chemicals companies, packaging, consumer products, composting, and more.
The PBPC Ag Bioeconomy Policy Summit featured policy briefings, industry discussions, and meetings with congressional offices focused on advancing bipartisan support for policies that grow the U.S. bioeconomy and strengthen markets for renewable, agricultural-based products.
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About the Plant Based Products Council
The Plant Based Products Council is an association of like-minded organizations that are advocating for a shift toward a more circular bioeconomy through greater adoption of renewable, plant-based materials supported by appropriate end-of-life infrastructure. We educate stakeholders and advocate for programs and policies that will support the growth of the plant-based products industry, helping to harness its economic potential to deliver a more sustainable future. Learn more at www.pbpc.com.