Story by Corryn La Rue and Jesse Allen
(WASHINGTON D.C.) — Producers who have been waiting on more details regarding the economic assistance passed by Congress in December are receiving more information on Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled the specifics of the $10 billion Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), a new initiative aimed at providing direct support to American farmers for the 2024 crop year.
The program was created as part of the American Relief Act, passed by Congress in December, to help agricultural producers manage the rising costs of inputs and declining commodity prices. USDA officials have emphasized that this is a timely response to the economic challenges facing farmers, particularly as they deal with soaring production costs and falling commodity prices.
During a press call on March 18, 2025, Brooke Appleton, Deputy Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, explained that ECAP is designed to address these pressing financial issues. Appleton highlighted that sign-ups for the program will begin on March 19, 2025, and continue through August 15, 2025.
Farmers eligible for the program will receive assistance based on a flat payment rate per eligible commodity, multiplied by the number of acres reported as eligible. The payments will be determined based on acreage, rather than production. Additionally, for acres reported as prevented planting, ECAP assistance will be calculated at 50% of the payment rate. In an effort to streamline the process, USDA has launched an online calculator on the Farm Service Agency (FSA) website. This tool allows producers to estimate potential benefits and includes a list of eligible commodities along with per-acre payment rates.
Appleton also noted that the program was designed to be simple, transparent, and efficient. Farmers who have already submitted acreage reports for eligible 2024 commodities will receive pre-filled applications from the FSA. However, producers are not required to wait for these forms and can apply directly at their local FSA office or via the FSA website starting March 19. For those who have planted or faced prevented planting of ECAP-eligible commodities for 2024, local FSA offices are available to provide further assistance.
The streamlined application process is in line with the USDA’s commitment to reducing administrative burdens for farmers. Appleton emphasized that ECAP payments would be issued promptly once applications are approved. The initial payment will be made at 85% of the total calculated amount to ensure the program stays within its $10 billion funding limit. If additional funds remain after the sign-up period concludes, a second payment may be issued.
Steve Peterson, Associate Administrator for the FSA, elaborated on the payment calculation formula, which is designed to determine the economic losses farmers are experiencing. The formula compares the estimated cost of production to the estimated cost of return, utilizing data from the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). If the difference between the two figures is positive, farmers will receive 26% of that loss. Additionally, the legislation includes a cap on payments based on 8% of the Payment Limit Calculation (PLC) reference price, ensuring that the higher of the two payment rates is applied.
In terms of payment timelines, Appleton assured producers that once their application is processed, payments would typically be directly deposited into their bank accounts within three business days.
This $10 billion program is just one element of a broader relief package included in the American Relief Act. The overall package allocates over $20 billion for additional disaster assistance to address livestock losses caused by drought, wildfires, and floods in 2023 and 2024. Further details on these disaster relief programs, including specific timelines and more information for livestock producers, are expected to be announced soon.
Farmers are encouraged to sign up early and contact their local FSA offices if they have any questions to ensure they receive the help they need. For more information or to apply, producers can visit the FSA website or reach out to their local FSA office directly.
Find more details on how to apply on the FSA website: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/ecap
Find more details in the Federal Register here: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-04604.pdf
Speaking on Tuesday morning’s Agriculture of America (AOA) program, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins provided an update on the rollout of $10 billion in economic assistance to farmers that was passed as part of the American Relief Act of 2025.
“You are the first one to hear this today (Tuesday). The official press release goes out, the portal opens, and the disbursements begin,” said Secretary Rollins. “So I’m really excited to let all of our amazing people across this country, our farmers know that. Today’s National Ag Day, our team worked 24 hours a day to get everything in place. I know in the last administration, there were a lot of promises made and promises unkept. And hopefully that will never happen with our administration. It certainly won’t be for a lack of hustle and try. And again, today, early and ahead of deadline, you will see a press release go out and the official work on that begin.”
You can hear the full conversation between Jesse Allen and Secretary Rollins on Tuesday’s AOA via podcast below. They talk avian flu response, trade/tariffs, National Ag Day and more. The segment starts at the 21:23 minute mark of the program.
