USDA Rolls Out Major Bridge Aid for Farmers

The USDA has outlined a $12 billion package of one-time bridge payments intended to steady farmers dealing with trade-related turbulence and rising production costs. Up to $11 billion will move through the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, which offers broad support for row-crop producers. For California, that includes growers of corn, cotton, oats, rice, safflower, and sunflower.

The department says the program is meant to help producers manage the ongoing mix of market disruptions, elevated inputs, inflation pressures, and export challenges tied to foreign competitors. Payments will follow a national formula that applies modeled loss estimates for the 2025 crop year and draws on planted-acre data, cost-of-production benchmarks, and national yield and price projections.

Another $1 billion is being held for commodities outside the FBA scope—such as specialty crops and sugar—but USDA has not yet released details or payment timelines. Producers who want to share concerns, seek clarification, or request a meeting can contact farmerbridge@usda.gov

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