Many members have likely heard about the Harvest Fuel Relief (HFR) program USDA announced on October 19. Below is what we know at the moment, and we will share more information as it becomes available.

USDA will make $8 billion available in one-time payments to American farmers through this new program. The Trump Administration announced on October 19, 2026, that it will provide relief during temporary market disruptions and higher input costs this harvest season. Producers of non-Title I commodities, including specialty crop growers and fishermen, can help shape their payment rates by sending fuel cost data to the United States Department of Agriculture (details below).

 

What the program is

HFR is a one-time payment program covering a portion of producers' modeled losses for the 2026 crop year. USDA describes it as similar to the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, offering simple, proportional support through a uniform formula. The $8 billion is authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act, and the Farm Service Agency will run the program.

 

How payments are calculated

Payments will be based on a national loss average, not on each farm’s individual losses. USDA will build that average from planted acres reported to the Farm Service Agency, cost of production estimates from the Economic Research Service, and yields and prices from the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE).

 

Crop insurance is not required

Producers do not need crop insurance to participate in HFR. USDA is, however, strongly urging producers to use the enhanced risk management tools in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to protect against future price risk and volatility.

 

What's still to come

It is still too early to say how the program will affect individual farmers. A clearer picture should emerge as USDA rolls out its payment formulas in November. Just as important is how USDA will support specialty crop producers, fishermen, and the many other commodities facing high diesel prices, whose payment methodology has not been set.

 

Key details have not been released yet:

  • Title I commodity payment rates: USDA says commodity-specific rates will be released in November.
  • Other eligible commodities: payment methodology will be announced at a later date, with no timeframe given.
  • Application period: USDA has not yet formally announced when applications open.

 

Non-Title I producers: send USDA your fuel cost data

If you produce a non-Title I commodity, including specialty crops or fish, USDA wants to hear from you now. The agency is asking these producers to send data on their increased fuel costs to HarvestFuel@usda.gov.

USDA says it will consider this data when it sets payment rates. Payment methodology for non-Title I commodities has not been announced yet, so submitting data before that decision is made gives your sector a chance to shape it.

Ways to get ready

For producers who plan to apply, setting up a Login.gov account and linking it to USDA now may make the process smoother. USDA says pre-filled applications will be available online to producers with a linked account, though it has not yet said when applications will open.

Specialty crop growers, fishermen, and other non-Title I producers may find it worthwhile to share their fuel cost data with USDA at HarvestFuel@usda.gov. USDA has said it will consider this information as it works out payment rates for those commodities.