The Trump administration unveiled a $12 billion aid package on Monday for farmers affected by trade market disruptions and related economic challenges such as higher input costs like fertilizer and fuel. FBA payments are expected to be released by February 28, 2026.
How Aid will be Allocated
Up to $11 billion of the package will be allocated to producers of major row crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, rice and cotton through the USDA’s new Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. The remaining money will be reserved for growers of sugar and specialty crops but details including timelines for those payments are still under development.
Commodity-specific payment rates will be released the week of December 22 with a per-acre payment for each type of crop after getting acreage reports from producers. Farmers should be able to calculate expected FBA payment by year end for budgeting and loan requests.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said payments will be capped at $155,000 per person or legal entity, with average adjusted gross income less than $900,000 will be eligible.
Actions Needed Now
It is important to make sure all information is up to date with the Farm Services Agency, which will be administering the program. Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by 5pm ET on December 19, 2025.
Pinion’s farm program services team can answer questions regarding eligibility guidelines and reporting. We’ll be providing more updates on this farm aid program, as well as guidance to help farmers meet the eligibility requirements.
The Farm Credit Administration is also adjusting its guidelines to give applicants more time to apply for federal loans for next year.
Next Steps
Greater details are expected to be released during the week of December 22.
USDA will start taking applications for the aid in the coming weeks.
Farmers will start receiving the funds by February 28.
