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Guthrie Applauds Trump Administration’s Announcement of $12 Billion in Aid to American Farmers

Washington, D.C., December 12, 2025

Washington, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) encouraged qualifying row crop farmers to ensure their 2025 acreage reporting, submitted to the Farm Service Agency (FSA), is accurate and factual for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farmer Bridge Assistance Program by December 19, 2025, at 5 pm ET.

“After a difficult year for Kentucky farmers, I am glad to see the Trump Administration take an important step to help ease the strain of market disruptions,” said Congressman Guthrie. “To be able to receive compensation, eligible row crop farmers should ensure that their 2025 acreage reporting is accurate and factual with FSA by this fast-approaching deadline. Thank you to all our farmers who work tirelessly every day of the year to keep our nation fed and clothed.”

Important Information: 

On December 8, 2025, President Trump and the USDA announced the creation of the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, dedicating $11 billion in tariff revenue to provide one-time payments to support agricultural producers impacted by recent trade market disruptions and continued increased production costs from the Biden Administration.

This program is designed to provide relief for row crop farmers who grow Barley, Chickpeas, Corn, Cotton, Lentils, Oats, Peanuts, Peas, Rice, Sorghum, Soybeans, Wheat, Canola, Crambe, Flax, Mustard, Rapeseed, Safflower, Sesame, and Sunflower.\

Additional information about these payments can be found below:

  • The $11 billion awarded to this program is dedicated to the above row crop farmers.
  • USDA also announced $1 billion in farmers’ bridge payments for specialty crops that will be outlined at a future date. 
  • USDA will use a national loss average to calculate payments that is based on Farm Service Agency (FSA) reported planted acres, Economic
  • Research Service cost of production estimates, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates yields and prices, and economic modeling.
  • Farmers who qualify for the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program can expect payments to be released by February 28, 2026. Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by 5pm ET on December 19, 2025.

Questions about this program can be directed to my office, your local Farm Service Agency representative, or via email to farmerbridge@usda.gov.