WASHINGTON — The USDA has opened enrollment for the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, offering $11 billion in one-time payments to eligible row crop producers.
The Farmer Bridge Assistance program is designed to help farmers offset trade disruptions and increased production costs ahead of the spring planting season. The enrollment period runs from Feb. 23 through April 17.
Payments are administered through the Farm Service Agency and are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act.
Eligible commodities include corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, oats, rice, sorghum and several oilseeds.
Producers who filed a 2025 crop acreage report can access pre-filled applications online using a Login.gov account at fsa.usda.gov/fba, or request assistance through their local FSA county office.
USDA officials say producers who applied early could receive payments as soon as February 28.
The agency says the bridge payments are intended to provide short-term relief while additional farm safety net investments take effect later this year.