The USDA announced today it would roll out economic relief payments to commodity farmers starting tomorrow, two days ahead of the deadline set by Congress. The new program will be called the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program.
Congress included $10 billion in last December’s spending bill to compensate those farmers for low crop prices and high input costs. Farmers will be able to apply for the funding starting tomorrow. The USDA also said it will streamline the process by sending pre-filled applications to farmers who are eligible: The program is for growers of corn, soybeans, rice, sorghum, oilseeds, and other row crops.
“With clear direction from Congress, USDA has prioritized streamlining the process and accelerating these payments ahead of schedule, ensuring farmers have the resources necessary to manage rising expenses and secure financing for next season,” Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said in a statement. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle celebrated the announcement.
In the end-of-year spending bill, Congress allocated another $21 billion to compensate farmers for damage caused by natural disasters. Agency officials said those payments will be available later this year. The quick rollout is happening at a time when other farmers who already have signed USDA contracts to fund conservation practices, new processing facilities, and market development say their payments are not being processed. The USDA is also canceling contracted payments for projects, including young farmer training, that prioritize equity. (Link to this post.)
