The Alabama Farmers Federation praised the $12 billion in aid for farmers announced by President Donald Trump on Monday.
The aid package follows the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program and disaster payments issued earlier in 2025, and the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, which included updates farmers sought in a farm bill.
"Today's announcement is yet another demonstration of President Trump's commitment to the American farmer," said Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell. "As he works to level the playing field for U.S. agriculture on the world market, these relief payments will help farmers weather the storm of low commodity prices brought about by the Biden Administration's neglect of international trade for four years."
The bulk of the aid package — about $11 billion — is set aside for the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, which will provide one-time payments to row crop farmers by February 28.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, eligible farmers will know by the end of December how much aid they will receive, allowing them to meet with lenders and plan for the upcoming crop year.
"We appreciate President Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins delivering on their commitment to strengthen American agriculture," Parnell added. "We're confident the trade deals negotiated by this administration will restore the positive trade balance our farmers have historically provided. We thank President Trump for helping ensure they can plant another crop in 2026."
The remaining $1 billion will be held as the U.S. Department of Agriculture evaluates negative trade impacts on specialty crop producers and how funds can help offset losses.
"I'm delighted to announce this afternoon that the United States will be taking a small portion of the hundreds of billions of dollars we receive in tariffs… We're going to use that money to provide $12 billion in economic assistance to American farmers," Trump said during a White House roundtable on Monday.
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