USDA announces Harvest Fuel Relief program

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture will make $8 billion available for one-time payments to American farmers this harvest season to provide relief during temporary market disruptions and increased input costs due to diesel fuel prices.

Similar to the recent Farmer Bridge Assistance program payments, the Harvest Fuel Relief program will provide simple, proportional support to producers using a uniform formula to cover a portion of modeled losses during the 2026 crop year.

This national loss average will be based on Farm Service Agency-reported planted acres, Economic Research Service cost of production estimates and world agricultural supply and demand estimates yields and prices.

The $8 billion in payments provided through the HFR program are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and will be administered by the FSA.

Commodity-specific payment rates for Title I commodities will be released in November. Payment methodology for other eligible commodities will be announced at a later date.

Crop insurance linkage will not be required for participation in the HFR program; however, USDA strongly urges producers to take advantage of the enhanced risk management tools included in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to best protect against price risk and volatility in the future.

Producers of non-Title I commodities, including specialty crop growers and fishermen, are encouraged to provide data related to increased fuel costs to HarvestFuel@usda.gov for USDA’s consideration when determining payment rates.

Eligible producers are encouraged to create a Login.gov account in advance of the application period announcement. Pre-filled applications will be available online to producers with a Login.gov account linked to USDA.

Earlier this year, the FBA program delivered $12 billion in one-time bridge payments over 560,000 farmers across the country.

Just a few weeks ago, nearly $14 billion in gross payments were provided to producers through the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act — an approximate $8 billion increase over what farmers would have received without the historic bill.

Certainty Needed

“This is the second round of emergency aid this year to address losses that were largely foreseeable. While this assistance will be helpful for some farmers as they manage a costly harvest, trade disruptions and rising fuel costs tied to conflict abroad have put family farmers in a difficult position, and one-time payments can’t provide the stability they need to plan for the future,” National Farmers Union President Rob Larew said.

“We also have questions about how this program will serve specialty crop growers, who have been asked to submit their own cost data with no clarity yet on whether or how they’ll be covered.

“The need for repeated emergency aid is a clear sign that the farm safety net is failing family farmers. We need to provide long-term certainty and investment in diversifying our fuel sources with renewable options, not a cycle of ad hoc relief. That’s why Congress must commit to passing a strong farm bill that gives family farmers the stable footing they need.”

“We appreciate the administration recognizing how the high cost of inputs, especially diesel fuel prices during harvest time, is adding to the economic pain of America’s farmers. Corn growers are eager to learn more details about the Harvest Fuel Relief program design and implementation for the 2026 crop year,” said National Corn Growers Association President Matt Frostic.

“As we work to tackle the many economic challenges facing growers and rural communities, we urge Washington to focus on durable, bipartisan, long-term solutions that will result in lasting improvements to the farm and national economy.

“Such solutions include passing legislation that will allow for the year-round sale of E15, renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, taking actions to improve access to new markets for U.S. farmers, like maritime and sustainable aviation fuel, and passing a robust farm bill.”

“While this relief is welcome, high fuel prices and other input costs continue to squeeze farm margins and threaten the viability of family farms. The National Association of Wheat Growers remains ready to roll up our sleeves and work with the administration and Congress to address the farm input cost crisis and advance long-term solutions that help keep American wheat growers competitive,” said NAWG CEO Sam Kieffer.

“Farmers and ranchers welcome the administration’s announcement of $8 billion in relief through the Harvest Fuel Relief program to help farmers struggling with high diesel prices. We appreciate President Trump and Secretary Rollins recognizing that higher diesel prices have squeezed farmers’ bottom lines. By building on the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, USDA will be able to quickly deliver this relief to farm country,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.

“We look forward to working with the president and USDA to ensure specialty crop growers, livestock producers, fishermen and others get the support they need so they can continue growing the food America’s families rely on. We also value the president’s continued support for Congress passing a modernized farm bill, allowing year-round E15 and addressing agriculture’s labor needs.”