$10B USDA Aid for Farmers Battered by 2024 Disasters
Published Date: 3/19/2025
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency is rolling out the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) to help farmers hit by tough times and natural disasters in 2024. With up to $10 billion available, eligible producers can apply for one-time payments from March 19 to August 15, 2025. This new program aims to keep family farms strong and food supplies steady across the country.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Up to $10B in one-time farm payments
The Farm Service Agency is making up to $10,000,000,000 available for one-time Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) payments for the 2024 crop year. You can apply for these payments between March 19, 2025, and August 15, 2025.
Per-person/entity payment caps ($125k / $250k)
ECAP limits total payments to a person or legal entity to $125,000 if less than 75% of their 2020–2022 average gross income is from farm activities, and $250,000 if at least 75% of that average gross income is from farm activities. These limits are separate from other program limits and payment attribution rules apply through up to four ownership levels.
Per-acre payment rates set by commodity
ECAP payments are calculated per acre using commodity-specific payment rates. Rates equal the greater of 26% of the commodity's calculated economic loss or an 8% PLC-based minimum; examples include corn $42.91 per acre, wheat $30.69 per acre, and cotton $84.74 per acre (see Table 1).
Initial payments prorated to 85%
ECAP payments will initially be prorated to 85 percent so total payments do not exceed available funding; FSA may make additional payments later if funds remain. Your calculated payment (payment rate × eligible acres) will be reduced to 85% when first issued.
Which acres qualify (planted + 50% prevented plant)
Eligible acres include acreage planted in 2024 for harvest/grazing/haying/silage and 50% of acres prevented from planting in 2024 due to drought, flood, or other natural disaster, as determined by the Secretary. To be eligible you must report planted and prevented planted acres on FSA-578 and file CCC-576 (Part B) for prevented planting.
Who can apply and special rules for States
To be eligible you must be an actively engaged producer and one of the listed types: U.S. citizen, resident alien (lawful alien), partnership, corporation/LLC, Indian Tribe/Tribal organization, or a foreign person/entity meeting 7 CFR part 1400 rules. Federal agencies are not eligible; a State or political subdivision may receive payments only if it owns the land and uses payments solely to support public schools, and State receipts cannot exceed $500,000 annually (except States under 1,500,000 population follow the normal per-person/entity limits).
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Key Dates
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