Policy Pulse:
$12B Farmer Bridge Payments (USDA)
USDA announced “$12 Billion Farmer Bridge Payments” (Dec 8, 2025). Up to $11B flows through Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) for major row crops; the rest supports other commodities. Authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation; USDA aims to issue payments by Feb 28, 2026. First action: make sure your FSA/CCC records and direct‑deposit info are current.
Check This Out:
CALED (California Association for Local Economic Development)
CALED knows from our work supporting economic development throughout the state, specifically as part of our Rural Exchange, that infrastructure financing is a challenge for many rural communities. This guidebook was developed to meet the need for a resource to help build capacity in those areas, as well as move economic development projects forward.
Federal Programs
| Program | What it pays for | Deadline | Who can apply | First action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) Program page |
Multi-year disaster payments for eligible crop, tree, bush, and vine losses (including quality losses). | Open now; closes Apr 30, 2026. | Producers with eligible losses documented with FSA. | Call your county FSA office and start Stage 2 if you had 2023–2024 losses. |
|
Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) Program page |
One-time assistance for 2024 eligible commodities; dashboard shows payments and covered crops. | Status only (payments in process). | Producers identified by FSA for ECAP. | Check the dashboard, then call FSA to confirm acreage and payment status. |
|
WATCH-LIST
Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) Program page |
Reimburses eligible marketing costs for specialty crops (packaging/handling/perishability). | Next window not posted. | Specialty-crop producers meeting AGI/compliance rules. | Read the program page; draft a one-page project and keep FSA eligibility forms current. |
State Programs
| Program | What it pays for | Deadline | Who can apply | First action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Illinois — First-Time Farmer Bond (Aggie Bonds) Program page |
Tax-exempt financing for land, equipment, or improvements; lowers your interest rate. | Rolling. | First-time farmers meeting federal rules; bank originates the loan. | Read the program summary and ask your banker to originate under IFA. |
|
Ohio — Ag-LINK Interest Rate Reduction Program page |
Interest reduction on operating loans/LOCs for inputs, fuel, feed, etc. | Year-round via participating lenders. | Ohio farm operators, agribusinesses, co-ops. | Start with your lender; they submit Ag-LINK online. |
|
Oregon — Credit Enhancement Fund (loan insurance) Program page |
State loan insurance to lenders; may help farms/processors secure credit for working capital or fixed assets. | Rolling. | Businesses working with an Oregon lender. | Share the CEF page with your lender and discuss eligibility. |
|
Virginia — AFID Facility Grants Program page |
Discretionary grants to support new/expanding value-added processing (meat, dairy, CEA, etc.). | Rolling; locality applies on behalf of company. | Virginia agribusinesses partnering with a city/county. | Call your local economic-development office to scope an AFID proposal. |
|
Maryland — Next Generation Farmland Acquisition (MARBIDCO) Program page |
Down-payment help tied to a future conservation easement; helps first-time farmers buy farmland. | Recurring cycles; funding active. | Beginning/first-time Maryland farmers. | Review the program and call MARBIDCO on timing. |
|
Vermont — VEDA/VACC Farm Loans Program page |
Loans for start-up/expansion, equipment, processing, and energy upgrades. | Rolling. | Vermont farms, forestry and ag-processing businesses. | Contact VEDA/VACC to discuss a fit. |
|
Washington — Linked Deposit (interest-rate reduction) Program page |
Up to ~2% interest reduction on eligible small-business loans; farms qualify if certified. | Rolling via participating lenders. | Certified minority-, women- or veteran-owned businesses. | Confirm eligibility, get certified, then talk to your bank. |
|
Colorado — Agricultural Future Loan Program Program page |
Low-rate loans for land, equipment, working capital, and processing infrastructure. | Rolling (currently waitlist). | Beginning farmers/ranchers and ag value-add businesses in Colorado. | Join the waitlist and prepare your financials. |
What to do this week
· Call your FSA office to verify SDRP Stage 2 eligibility and what forms they already have.
· Open the ECAP dashboard and confirm your commodity status; call FSA if something looks off.
· Ask your lender about state guarantees/buydowns (IL Aggie Bonds, OR CEF, WA Linked Deposit) and request a written term sheet.
· Beginning farmers in MD/VT/CO: line up eligibility docs and recent financials; confirm lender participation.
Watch‑list (prep now)
· • MASC likely to reopen annually; keep 2025 sales docs and FSA forms current (AGI, AD‑1026).
· • SDRP Stage 2 webinars posted; skim slides and confirm what documentation you’re missing before booking your county‑office appointment.
· • AFTPP: If you’re in a state ag cooperative or trade group, coordinate now on target markets; draft a simple activity plan and budget.
Glossary
Bridge payments: direct payments USDA uses to quickly buffer farm income after market disruptions.
Linked deposit: state places funds with banks at low rates so banks can cut loan interest (rate buy‑down).
Aggie Bonds: tax‑exempt bonds that let banks offer lower rates to first‑time farmers (through a state authority).
Sources (primary/canonical)
USDA Press Release — $12B Farmer Bridge Payments (Dec 8, 2025), FSA — SDRP Dashboard, FSA — ECAP Dashboard, FSA — MASC Program Page, IL — IFA Agriculture Programs, OH — Ag‑LINK, OR — Credit Enhancement Fund, VA — AFID Facility Grants, MD — MARBIDCO Next Gen, VT — VEDA/VACC Agricultural Financing, WA — Linked Deposit Program, CO — Colorado Agricultural Future Loan
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