USDA’s $10 Billion Aid Program Set to Roll Out for Farmers

DENVER (DTN) — Commodity farmers can expect to receive application forms soon as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prepares to distribute $10 billion in emergency economic aid. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced details at the Commodity Classic show in Denver on Sunday, emphasizing the urgency of getting these funds to producers.

“In the last two weeks, since I’ve been on the job, we have been working very diligently and as quickly as humanly possible, understanding the urgency of getting these funds out the door,” Rollins said. She stated that the process will be guided by three principles: simplicity, transparency, and speed.

The $10 billion in economic aid was authorized by Congress in December, with a distribution formula based on crops planted and market prices. Rollins indicated that they are on track to start distributing these funds within the next few weeks.

In addition to the emergency aid, Congress passed nearly $20.78 billion in disaster assistance for natural disasters affecting farmers in 2023 and 2024. Rollins confirmed that those funds will also be part of the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP).

“In cases where we have information already on file, a pre-filled application will be sent to you,” Rollins noted. Farmers who have previously filed 2024 acreage reports will have their applications initiated using that data.

Rollins also criticized the previous Biden administration for delays in disaster aid distribution, asserting that the Trump administration would not impose progressive factoring or require producers to submit tax returns for aid eligibility. This contrasts with criticisms directed at the Biden administration for utilizing progressive factoring, which had allocated a larger percentage of payments to smaller producers.

The announcement comes after 15 Democratic senators urged the USDA to ensure rapid provision of economic and disaster funds. They expressed concern about farmers making crucial decisions regarding fertilizer and crop management without timely assistance.

Farmers eligible for economic aid will receive pre-filled applications, while those with frozen conservation contracts will also see increased fund availability. Rollins reported that USDA completed its review of conservation contracts, specifically under programs like the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

Rollins stated that USDA would no longer support programs tied to what she termed “far-left climate agendas.” She noted that they have canceled 340 contracts totaling $300 million associated with climate and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. During a recent press conference, Rollins acknowledged undergoing significant staff changes and admitted that some previous job cuts had been mistakes.

Rollins also discussed protective measures regarding tariffs, asserting that the Trump administration prioritizes fair negotiations on trade for farmers. Referring to upcoming tariffs on Canada and Mexico, she encouraged farmers to focus on domestic production.

She touched upon tax cuts as well, expressing her commitment to advocating for the elimination of the estate tax. Rollins urged Congress to pass a new farm bill, stating, “It is inexcusable that that has yet to happen.”

Looking ahead, Rollins vowed to bridge efforts with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy without compromising farming practices and pledged to collaborate with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to roll back restrictions on pesticide applications enforced by the prior administration.

Rollins assured farmers that USDA is pivoting to address current challenges effectively. “It’s a new day at USDA,” she concluded. “We will do everything we can to support you and our agricultural communities across the country.”