Trump says USDA to launch $8 billion harvest fuel relief program to help farmers offset diesel costs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says American farmers will receive one-time payments. (USDA)
America’s farmers are getting billions in financial assistance to help offset diesel costs during the fall harvest season, President Donald Trump announced Monday night.
Reuters reports that the US Department of Agriculture will launch what Trump is calling the "harvest fuel relief program" which will provide farmers with $8 billion in support to offset diesel costs as they harvest crops this fall.
Trump made the announcement during a midterm election campaign speech in Kansas.
What they're saying:
"Tonight, I'm also pleased to announce that the Department of Agriculture will be launching a new harvest fuel relief program, providing our farmers with $8 billion in support to offset diesel costs during this harvest season," Trump said.
High diesel prices leaving farmers in a financial squeeze
For several months, farmers have been feeling the squeeze as costs for inputs like diesel, fertilizer and seed have soared due to refinery constraints and supply disruptions tied to the Iran war.
By the numbers:
Last Friday, diesel averaged $6.30 per gallon nationwide, more than 70% higher than a year ago, according to AAA. The higher diesel prices have been especially financially painful during harvest season, when farmers depend heavily on fuel to operate machinery and transport crops.
Dig deeper:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says American farmers will receive one-time payments with amounts the department says are "proportional support to producers using a uniform formula to cover a portion of modeled losses during the 2026 crop year."
The $8 billion in payments will be administered by the USDA's Farm Service Agency, the department said.
The Source: This article includes information from Reuters and The Associated Press. This story was reported from Orlando.