U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on Friday announced the enrollment period for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, a one-time, $11 billion effort aimed at helping row crop producers respond to trade disruptions and rising production costs. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), enrollment opens today (Monday), Feb. 23, and runs through April 17. Payments are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and will be administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Rollins says, “Improving the farm economy is our top priority at USDA, and we have simplified and streamlined the application process for the bridge program to ensure producers get the financial assistance they need as quickly as possible as we’re kicking off the spring planting season. President Trump continues to put farmers first. If our farmers are not economically able to continue their operations, then we will not be able to feed ourselves in this country.” Producers with a login.gov account who already filed their 2025 crop acreage report for eligible commodities can access pre-filled applications online at fsa.usda.gov/fba. Producers who apply online could receive payments as early as Feb. 28. Bridge payments are intended to support farmers until provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act take effect, including increased reference prices for major commodities beginning after Oct. 1, 2026. More than 20 different crop types are included in the FBA program, most importantly corn and soybeans for Iowa producers. Farmers needing assistance with their applications are encouraged to contact their local FSA office.
Trending
