Farmers across the country are already signing up for the new Farmer Bridge Assistance payments through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program was designed to provide short term financial relief to producers ahead of the 2026 growing season, and USDA officials say participation has been strong since enrollment opened in late February.
FULL CONVERSATION WITH USDA UNDERSECRETARY RICHARD FORDYCE:
USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce says farmers responded almost immediately after the signup period began February 23rd. The Farm Service Agency has already received hundreds of thousands of applications from producers across the country.
Fordyce says the agency has been able to move quickly in approving applications and issuing payments. In some cases, farmers who enrolled early in the signup period saw funds deposited in their accounts within just a few days.
The program allows farmers to enroll either by visiting their local Farm Service Agency office or by using a digital option through login.gov. Fordyce says many producers are beginning to take advantage of the online system.
USDA officials say the online option is part of a broader effort to simplify how farmers interact with the department. The modernization initiative aims to streamline paperwork and make it easier for producers to access multiple USDA programs without repeatedly submitting the same information.
Still, Fordyce says farmers who prefer working directly with their local offices can continue to sign up in person, where FSA staff can provide assistance and answer questions about the program.
Producers who have not yet enrolled still have time, but Fordyce says it is important to act before the signup period closes.
The Farmer Bridge Assistance program includes approximately 11 billion dollars in total funding. USDA officials say producers have until April 17th to complete enrollment through their local Farm Service Agency office or through the online system.
