“Congress approved this critical funding to provide a bridge to help ensure hardworking American farm families can continue operations this season while we craft an updated Farm Bill. The current safety net fails to serve as an effective risk management tool that farmers, ranchers and producers can rely on, so it’s vital that USDA expeditiously distributes these funds that will help them continue to feed, fuel and clothe the world in the interim. I am grateful for the swift implementation by Secretary Rollins and look forward to continuing to work with her to support the needs of our farmers.”

 Producers can apply for the program beginning Wednesday, March 19. USDA’s Farm Service Agency will begin sending pre-filled applications to producers who submitted acreage reports to the agency for 2024 eligible commodities. ECAP applications must be submitted in-person or online by August 15, 2025.