Farmers to get one-time payments from $8 billion program, Trump says: What to know

(NEXSTAR) – Farmers could soon receive one-time payments as part of an $8 billion program announced by President Donald Trump on Monday.

During a rally in Kansas, Trump unveiled the Harvest Fuel Relief Program, which he said is intended to “offset diesel costs during the harvest season.”

It comes at a time when diesel, in particular, has been especially high.

“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,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said in a news release . “We appreciate President Trump and [U.S. Department of Agriculture] Secretary [Brooke] Rollins recognizing that higher diesel prices have squeezed farmers’ bottom lines.”

The USDA projects that net farm income will decline by 2.6% this year as production expenses rise by 4.5%. Fuel and oil expenses alone are expected to jump nearly 30%, according to the agency’s September forecast.

Payments from the program, however, likely won’t provide immediate relief. Here’s what to know.

What is the Harvest Fuel Relief Program?

The program is meant to “provide relief during temporary market disruptions and increased input costs,” a press release from the USDA explains .

In short, it is expected to disburse $8 billion worth of one-time payments to farmers “to cover a portion of modeled losses during the 2026 crop year.”

How will one-time payments be calculated?

The USDA said it will use a formula to determine how much each farmer receives, focused on modeled losses.

“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 USDA explained.

Next month, commodity-specific payment rates for Title I commodities – common row crops like wheat, corn, soybeans, oats, peanuts, and more – are expected to be released. Methodology for payments related to other eligible commodities will come sometime after, the USDA said.

Those who deal with non-Title I commodities, like “specialty crop growers and fishermen,” are invited to “provide data related to increased fuel costs” via email for consideration when the USDA is determining pay rates.

Farmers do not need crop insurance linkage to qualify for the Harvest Fuel Relief program, but the USDA urges them to take advantage of it.

How and when can farmers get a one-time payment?

It likely won’t be until after the current harvest season that payments are sent out.

Payment amounts for row crops aren’t expected to be announced until November, “with details for other eligible commodities to follow,” per the USDA .

Applications will be available online via Login.gov , where pre-filled forms will also be made available, but not until January 2027. While those applications are not currently available, the USDA is encouraging farmers who believe they may qualify to create an account on Login.gov , if they haven’t already.

The Farm Service Agency, or FSA, is tasked with administering the payments, which the Trump administration said are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.