USDA's Farmer Assistance Program Intended to Fill a Gap in Policy

USDA Undersecretary for farm production and conservation, Richard Fordyce, talks about the newly released Farm Bridge Assistance Program and why it falls outside the farm bill, and how it serves as a short-term stabilizer for producers.

“One of the reasons we use bridge. And the title of the program is, it's our hope that these payments, while we know that they do not make farmers whole, you know, all of the payment rates by commodity that does not make up the delta between the cost of production and the price folks are getting for, you know, for their crops. But it is a it is assistance, it is help. And the idea is, is that it bridges farmers to the place where we have fully implemented the One Big Beautiful Bill provisions.”

Fordyce says that while the administration pushed hard for a farm bill, the one big beautiful Bill was able to address several major priorities. But he is quick to note it is still no substitute for a full Farm Bill.

“And so I guess the one big, beautiful Bill was, kind of part tax bill, kind of part Farm Bill. Certainly, there's still work to be done on a farm bill. The administration fully supports that. You know, from our from our position, we will offer any technical assistance that's asked for, from the hill, you know, from the committees as they navigate through, you know, writing a Farm Bill.”

USDA, Under Secretary for farm production and conservation, Richard Fordyce.