Mar21
USDA EXPEDITING $10 BILLION IN DIRECT ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they are issuing up to $10 billion directly to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP). ECAP is a new initiative by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), authorized under the American Relief Act of 2025. ECAP aims to provide one-time economic assistance payments to eligible producers of specific commodities for the 2024 crop year, with up to $10 billion allocated for this purpose. These payments are intended to help farmers mitigate losses from increased input costs and falling commodity prices.
Key details:
- Application Period: Applications are open from March 19, 2025 through August 15, 2025.
- Eligible Commodities: Includes wheat, corn, sorghum, barley, oats, upland cotton, extra-long staple cotton, long grain rice, medium grain rice, peanuts, soybeans, other oilseeds, dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas, and large chickpeas. Eligible “other oilseeds” are canola, crambe, flax, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame, and sunflower.
- Payment Calculation: Determined based on acreage and economic losses as outlined by USDA, with prorated payments to ensure sufficient fund distribution.
- Payment Limits: Producers with less than 75% of their average gross income from farming (2020–2022) have a payment cap of $125,000, while those with at least 75% from farming can receive up to $250,000.
For more information and to apply, visit the USDA Farm Service Agency website here.
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