By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter

U.S. row crop farmers can now apply for economic assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA).

“Applications for our Farmer Bridge Assistance Program will open ahead of schedule Monday, Feb. 23,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Ag Outlook Forum Friday. “This program provides $11 billion in targeted support to America’s row crop farmers who have been hit hard by product and market disruptions.”

Farmers can apply for the program online or in person at their local Farm Service Agency office through April 17.

The one-time payments, authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, are intended, in part, to assist farmers until improvements to farm bill safety net programs made through HR 1, or the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, take effect later this year.

“These resources will help carry producers into the next season—truly a bridge as purchase commitments and new trade deals take effect and input costs continue to decline,” Rollins said.

The bridge payments are based on 2025 planted acres.

“Producers who want to further expedite their payment, can apply online through the program website and could receive a payment in their bank account as early as Feb. 28, 2026,” Rollins said.

Pre-filled applications will be available to farmers with a Login.gov account who filled out their 2025 crop acreage report for eligible commodities in a timely manner.

Those with a Login.gov account can access and submit their application from fsa.usda.gov/fba.

Farmers may also request their pre-filled application from their county Farm Service Agency office.

The following commodities are eligible for FBA: barley, chickpeas, corn, cotton, lentils, oats, peanuts, peas, rice, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, canola, crambe, flax, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame and sunflower.

Payment rates per commodity are available here.

In addition to the $11 billion available to row crop farmers, USDA has made $1 billion in economic assistance available to specialty crop and sugar growers through the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program.

“This program that will cover the commodities that were not covered through the original Farmer Bridge Assistance Program,” Rollins said.

Eligible farmers have until March 13 to report their 2025 acres to their FSA office.

“If our specialty crop producers are not economically able to continue their operations, American families will see a decrease in the food they rely on, wholesome and nutritious fruits and vegetables,” Rollins said.

Commodity-specific payment rates will be released by the end of March.