Farm Relief Payments Bring Needed Support, but Gaps Remains

Farm Relief Payments Offer Immediate Support

USDA’s new $12 billion relief package is welcome news across farm country. These payments will help farm families cover critical operating costs, keep equipment running and secure financing for next season with a little less uncertainty hanging over their heads.

For many farmers, this support isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. Trade uncertainty, lower commodity prices and the rising cost to raise a crop have pushed too many operations to the brink. Farmers are grateful to the administration for providing resources that, for many, could make the difference between staying in business to plant another crop, or giving up a family farm.

But it’s also important to point out that more work needs to be done. This bridge support is a down payment, and members in Congress have already expressed their desire to fill in the gaps. Consider that many fruit, vegetable, tree nut and nursery growers are facing the same sharp rise in costs and the same instability in the marketplace as the rest of the agricultural community—yet they received less than 10% of the bridge support.

Farmers have weathered billions in economic losses that have only been partially offset by this bridge support and other Congressional packages. There is more work to do, and Farm Bureau is committed to working with Congress and the administration to provide additional assistance where it is needed.

Economic support provides a much-needed bridge, but it is only one piece of what farmers and ranchers will need to weather this moment.

Farm Relief Payments Arrive Amid Other Policy Developments

This announcement builds on encouraging developments in recent weeks. The Senate’s strong bipartisan vote for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act marks an important win for dairy farmers and for families who want more nutritious choices in school cafeterias.

We also saw important progress with the new proposed Waters of the U.S. rule, which brings clarity and common sense to water regulations and respects the way farmers care for their land. This rule is exactly the kind of clarity farmers have asked for—and Washington is beginning to deliver.

Just a few weeks ago, I had a meeting at the White House to press for year-round E15 and share how it will support farmers and lower prices for consumers at the pump. The steps taken on E15 are promising. Keeping that momentum going matters for rural America.

Progress Is Welcome, but the Work Ahead is Bigger

Taken together, these actions show willingness to address the pressure agriculture is under. But they also reveal the scale of the challenge. The relief announced this week offers timely help, yet the farm economy remains in a deep, prolonged downturn.

Farm families need lasting certainty, and we appreciate our partners in Washington for taking this important first step by delivering a $12 billion package. But the need is far greater. Years of losses have taken a heavy toll, and farm families still face challenges many times larger than what this relief can cover. We look forward to working with leaders in Washington to ensure farm families receive support that matches the scale of what they’ve endured.