President Donald Trump is expected to unveil a $12 billion farm aid package this afternoon at the White House, aimed at producers facing low commodity prices and market disruption tied to the administration’s tariff policies and ongoing trade tensions — especially with China.
According to Reuters, the plan, described by administration officials speaking ahead of the announcement, would deliver the bulk of the funding as one-time payments to crop farmers through a newly designed Farmer Bridge Assistance program, with the remainder set aside for commodities not covered under that framework.
Reporting indicates the package is designed to reach a broad slice of agriculture — row crops and livestock sectors that have been pinched by a mix of export uncertainty and rising input costs.
The package totals $12 billion, up to $11 billion of that would be delivered as one-time payments through the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, with the remaining funds reserved for crops and commodities not covered under the program, according to The Wall Street Journal. The aid would be administered by U.S. Department of Agriculture using existing authorities and financing mechanisms, including the Commodity Credit Corporation, which operates under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act.
Eligibility and payment limits: why AGI matters
While full program rules and payment rates may come after the announcement, many USDA programs use an average adjusted gross income limit of $900,000 for payment eligibility. That cap is widely referenced in USDA guidance for Farm Service Agency programs and is rooted in farm bill requirements.
This new $12 billion plan would land on top of other recent support efforts. In March 2025, the USDA announced it would issue up to $10 billion through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program for the 2024 crop year, designed to help producers manage increased input costs and weaker commodity prices.
»Related: USDA confirms ‘bridge payment’ arriving next week for farmers
