By Julie Tomascik
Editor

President Donald Trump today announced a $12 billion assistance package aimed at helping farmers recover from trade market disruptions and increased production costs. The one-time bridge payments are intended as temporary relief as long-term policy solutions under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) are implemented in fall 2026.

The new Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program will provide up to $11 billion in direct support for U.S. row crop farmers. An additional $1 billion will be allocated to commodities not covered under the FBA Program, with payment timelines still under development.

“The plan we are announcing today ensures American farmers can continue to plan for the next crop year. It is imperative we do what it takes to help our farmers, because if we cannot feed ourselves, we will no longer have a country,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said. “With this program serving as a bridge to the improvements President Trump and Republicans in Congress have made, it will allow farmers to leverage strengthened price protection risk management tools and the reliability of fair trade deals so they do not have to depend on large ad hoc assistance packages from the government.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the program will offer farmers uniform payments to help offset a portion of losses for the 2025 crop year.

The program covers the following crops: barley, chickpeas, cotton, corn, lentils, oats, peanuts, peas, rice, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, canola, crambe, flax, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame and sunflowers.

Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening said the administration’s decision provides critical support at a crucial time for agriculture.

“Texas Farm Bureau applauds President Trump and his administration for taking decisive action to support America’s farmers during these challenging times,” Boening said. “The announcement of $12 billion in Farmer Bridge Assistance Program payments demonstrates a clear commitment to ensuring that agriculture remains strong and resilient in the face of unfair market disruptions and rising input costs.”

Boening also thanked the administration for including Texas farmers in the announcement.

“We deeply appreciate President Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for inviting Texas Farm Bureau State Director Brian Adamek to the West Wing for this announcement,” Boening said. “This inclusion underscores the administration’s recognition of the vital role Texas farmers play in feeding our nation and driving our economy.”

Adamek said the new package provides financial relief and gives farmers more certainty heading into the next growing season.

“It was an honor to represent Texas farmers in the West Wing,” Adamek said. “The FBA Program will help farmers weather current market disruptions and plan for the future with confidence. We appreciate the administration’s commitment to agriculture and the opportunity to have Texas voices at the table.”

USDA said FBA payments will be released by Feb. 28, 2026.

Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 19, 2025.

Commodity-specific payment rates will be released at the end of the month.

Boening said the assistance is timely but emphasized that long-term policy work must continue.

“Farmers across Texas and the country have faced unprecedented challenges in recent years, and the FBA Program provides timely relief while long-term solutions under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act take shape,” he said. “We know challenges are ahead, and Texas Farm Bureau will continue working hand in hand with the administration to develop and implement long-term solutions that strengthen agriculture for generations to come.”

USDA will provide additional program details as payment mechanisms and implementation guidance are finalized.

To submit questions, justification for USDA farmer bridge aid or to request a meeting about the program, farmers can reach out to farmerbridge@usda.gov.