$8 Billion in Fuel Relief: What Southeast Growers Need to Know Now
USDA announced its Harvest Fuel Relief Program in October to help farmers facing higher production costs and market losses.
For growers raising cotton, peanuts, corn and soybeans, payment rates are expected sometime in November.
Those payments will be based partly on acreage reported to the Farm Service Agency, not individual diesel receipts.
So what can you do right now?
USDA recommends setting up a Login.gov account linked to USDA so you're ready when applications open.
And if you grow specialty crops, USDA wants to hear from you.
They're asking producers to email information about higher fuel costs to HarvestFuel@usda.gov. That could include fuel bills, gallons purchased or comparisons between 2025 and 2026.
Sending that email isn't an application. USDA will use the information to help determine payment rates.
Whether you're growing traditional row crops or specialty crops, USDA hasn't announced when applications will open.
