Guthrie Encourages Kentucky Farmers to Enroll in Farmer Bridge Assistance Program by April 17th

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) released the following statement encouraging Kentucky farmers to apply to receive one-time payments through the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the opening of the enrollment period for the program, which will close on April 17, 2026.

"It is essential that qualifying Kentucky farmers take action to receive their Farmer Bridge Assistance program payments during the ongoing enrollment window," said Congressman Guthrie. "After an extremely difficult year in agriculture, this incredible program will help producers get financial relief ahead of the spring planting season. I am grateful for the diligent efforts of the Trump Administration to support those who work around the clock to keep our nation fed and clothed."

Important Information to Apply for Farmer Bridge Assistance Program Payments:
On December 8, 2025, President Trump and the USDA announced the creation of the FBA program, dedicating $11 billion in tariff revenue to provide one-time payments to support agricultural producers impacted by recent trade market disruptions and continued increased production costs from the Biden Administration. The USDA also announced the launch of a payment calculator so that farmers can estimate the total payment they can expect to receive as a part of the FBA program. This will allow them to better plan their 2026 spring planting budget more accurately.

Pre-filled applications are currently available online to producers with a Login.govaccount who accurately filed their 2025 acreage reports. Producers with a Login.govaccount can access and submit their pre-filled application from fsa.usda.gov/fba. Additionally, producers can also request their pre-filled FBA application from their FSA county office.

The deadline for producers to submit a completed FBA program application is April 17, 2026. Producers can complete their pre-filled applications online or submit them to their FSA county office.

Eligible commodities covered under the FBA program include: Barley, Chickpeas, Corn, Cotton, Lentils, Oats, Peanuts, Peas, Rice, Sorghum, Soybeans, Wheat, Canola, Crambe, Flax, Mustard, Rapeseed, Safflower, Sesame, and Sunflower.

Important Eligibility Information for Specialty Crop Farmers Program:
On February 13, 2026, the USDA announced the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program, which will provide $1 billion in assistance for specialty crops and sugar commodities not covered under the Farmers Bridge Assistance Program.

Qualifying producers of specialty crops are encouraged to ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by 5 pm ET on March 13, 2026.Payment rates set by the USDA will be released by March 31, 2026.

Specialty commodities covered by the ASCF program include: (A) Almond, Apple, Apricot, Aronia berry, Artichoke, Asparagus, Avocado (B) Banana, Bean (Snap or green; Lima; Dry edible), Beet (Table), Blackberry, Blueberry, Breadfruit, Broccoli (including Broccoli Raab), Brussels Sprouts (C) Cabbage (including Chinese), Cacao, Carrot, Cashew, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Cherimoya, Cherry, Chestnut (for Nuts), Chive, Citrus, Coconut, Coffee, Collards (including Kale), Cranberry, Cucumber, Currant (D) Date, Dry Edible Beans and Peas* (E) Edamame, Eggplant, Endive (F) Feijou, Fig, Filbert (Hazelnut) (G) Garlic, Gooseberry, Grape (including Raisin), Guava (H) Horseradish (K) Kiwi, Kohlrabi (L) Leek, Lettuce, Litchi (M) Macadamia, Mango, Melon (All Types), Mushroom (Cultivated), Mustard and Other Greens (N) Nectarine (O) Okra, Olive, Onion, Opuntia (P) Papaya, Parsley, Parsnip, Passion Fruit, Pea (Garden; English or Edible Pod; Dry edible), Peach, Pear, Pecan, Pepper, Persimmon, Pineapple, Pistachio, Plum (including Prune), Pomegranate, Potato, Pumpkin (Q) Quince (R) Radish (All Types), Raspberry, Rhubarb, Rutabaga (S) Salsify, Spinach, Squash (Summer and Winter), Strawberry, Suriname Cherry, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Swiss Chard (T) Taro, Tomato (including Tomatillo), Turnip (W) Walnut, and Watermelon.

Additional information on FBA and ASCF is available online at fsa.usda.gov/fba. Producers can also contact their local FSA county office.