Washington, DC (March 18, 2025) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that starting on March 19 farmers can apply for the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program. Corn growers are eligible for the program with a payment rate of $42.91 per acre for the 2024 crop year.
The new program was authorized by Congress through the American Relief Act, which passed in December. The economic assistance comes as growers are facing multiple years of low crop prices paired with high input costs.
“USDA has made implementation of economic assistance a priority,” said Illinois farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “We appreciate that the process should be straightforward for corn growers to apply and receive assistance.”
The sign-up period will run through August 15, and USDA will mail pre-filled applications to producers over the coming days. Growers can also go online, beginning tomorrow or to their local Farm Service Agency to complete the process.
Initial payments will be factored by 85% to ensure the total program does not exceed the funding provided by Congress. Once the sign-up period ends in August, USDA may provide a second payment if additional funds are still available.
Congress also passed $20 billion in disaster assistance for the 2023 and 2024 crop years. Details for those programs will be shared at a later date, according to USDA officials.
NAWG Welcomes USDA’s Economic Commodity Assistance Program
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the implementation of the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year. In December 2024, Congress passed the American Relief Act of 2025, which appropriated $10 billion in much-needed economic assistance for farmers. Today’s action by the USDA is a critical step in providing financial relief to producers facing economic hardship.
“Thank you, Secretary Rollins, and everyone at USDA for working hard to deliver this crucial economic assistance to farmers in a timely manner,” said Chandler Goule NAWG CEO “As we celebrate National Agriculture Day today, the timeliness in the program delivery is crucial as America’s farmers continue to face dire economic challenges.
“NAWG is proud to have worked with key stakeholders and Congress last to ensure this critical assistance was included in last year’s continuing resolution. While this ad hoc assistance is much needed, the short-term relief cannot replace a robust long-term farm bill. NAWG continues to urge lawmakers to work quickly to pass a farm bill that strengthens the farm safety net in the 119th Congress.”.
Starting tomorrow, farmers will be able to apply for ECAP at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office, online at fsa.usda.gov/ecap, or by returning the prefilled applications that will be mailed out to producers who submitted acreage reports to FSA for 2024 eligible ECAP commodities. Today, FSA also announced the payment rates for eligible commodities, which is $30.69 per acre for wheat. Applications for these funds will run from March 19, 2025, to August 15, 2025. Producers can learn more about the application process by visiting fsa.usda.gov/ecap or contacting their local FSA office.
National Farmers Union Statement on USDA Rollout of Emergency Economic Relief
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew today gave the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement to issue up to $10 billion to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP):
“Farmers Union fought hard to secure this funding at the end of 2024, and we’re pleased to see Secretary Rollins take quick action to distribute the much-needed relief for family farmers and ranchers,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “With growing uncertainty and economic volatility, this support is essential—but it’s not enough. We remain committed to working with lawmakers on delivering a comprehensive, five-year farm bill that gives farmers the long-term certainty they deserve.”
NFU successfully advocated for the inclusion of both economic and disaster aid for farmers and ranchers in the American Relief Act, 2025, passed by the 118th Congress in December 2024.
NFU has repeatedly called on Congress to pass a new, comprehensive farm bill to avoid further economic strain caused by volatile commodity prices and higher input costs.