PARK CITY, Kan. (Diya TV) — President Donald Trump announced an $8 billion federal aid program Monday to help farmers absorb higher fuel and other production costs. But the USDA has not yet set payment amounts or opened applications, leaving producers waiting for details as harvest continues.
The Harvest Fuel Relief program will provide one-time payments for part of farmers’ modeled losses in the 2026 crop year. The Farm Service Agency will calculate payments using reported planted acres, USDA production-cost estimates, and federal crop yield and price forecasts. The department plans to release rates for major crops in November and details for other eligible commodities later.
The program is broader than its name suggests. The USDA says it will address temporary market disruptions and increased input costs; it has not described the payments as individual reimbursements for diesel purchases. The department will administer the $8 billion under authority granted by the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act. Crop insurance will not be required.
Fuel costs have risen sharply during a critical period for farmers. Diesel averaged about $6.30 a gallon nationwide last week, more than $2.50 above the price a year earlier, according to AAA figures cited by the Associated Press. The USDA forecasts farm fuel and oil expenses will rise 28.8%, or $4.8 billion, in 2026. Total production expenses are projected to reach $492.8 billion, up 4.5%.
Glenn Brunkow, a fifth-generation Kansas farmer and president of the Kansas Farm Bureau, told the AP that rising costs, uncertain markets and shrinking profits were hitting producers from multiple directions. Harvest requires heavy diesel use to run equipment and haul crops.
Trump announced the aid at a campaign rally near Wichita, less than three weeks before the midterm elections. Republicans are defending competitive Senate races in agricultural states, including Kansas. Earlier this year, the administration announced a separate $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance program.
The USDA is encouraging producers to create Login.gov accounts ahead of the application period, which it has not yet scheduled. Specialty-crop growers and fishermen can submit information about higher fuel costs for consideration as the department sets payment rates.
