President Donald Trump announced Monday night an $8 billion Agriculture Department program, called Harvest Fuel Relief, to offset farmers' diesel costs this harvest. "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," he said at a rally in Park City, Kansas, for Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, who faces Democrat Adam Hamilton^1,2,5.

In a news release dated Oct. 19, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it will make $8 billion available for one-time payments to farmers, authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and run by the Farm Service Agency. Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins said in the release that the money "will help bring certainty to our farmers during this harvest"^1,4.

The department said payments will follow a uniform formula covering a portion of modeled 2026 crop-year losses, based on reported planted acres, cost-of-production estimates and federal yield and price forecasts^2,4. Rates for major row crops such as wheat, soybeans and corn are expected in November, but no payment timeline has been released, and Politico reported that congressional approval may be needed to move funds to cover the cost².

The program would be the second farm relief package in 11 months, after a $12 billion package announced last December¹. It follows an executive order letting untaxed off-road dyed diesel be used on highways through the end of the year; the IRS said it will not impose a penalty for that use through Dec. 31, though it has not said whether the deferred tax will be forgiven, according to an energy trade group².

Diesel hit a record $6.53 a gallon on Sept. 22 and now averages $6.32, up from $3.62 a year ago, according to AAA data cited by CBS News. A September USDA forecast expects net farm income to fall 2.6% this year, with fuel and oil costs up nearly 30%⁵.

Reaction split along familiar lines, and both sides are opinion. Texas Corn Producers welcomed the program, saying fuel costs "have hit Texas corn farmers hard this year"⁶. Gbenga Ajilore, chief economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, told CBS News that farmers would gain more from an end to the war with Iran and to tariffs, calling the aid part of a pattern of offsetting damage from the administration's own policies⁵. National farm groups welcomed the money but asked for more: National Corn Growers Association President Matt Frostic said growers are "eager to learn more details" and urged "durable, bipartisan, long-term solutions," while National Farmers Union President Rob Larew said "one-time payments can't provide the stability" farmers need and that specialty-crop producers have "no clarity yet on whether or how they'll be covered"²⁹.

A Rice County, Kansas, farmer told KWCH the timing fits the peak harvest season but said he is more concerned with fair markets and trade policy. In Madison County, Mississippi, farmer Douglas Warren told WAPT, "I'm appreciative, and it's needed," but said farmers "do not want bailouts" and would rather see prices brought under control²⁶. The announcement comes two weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections^1,2.

Sources

1. WSAZTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
2. Tennessee LookoutTrump announces $8B fuel relief program for farmers, but timeline and payment details are hazyOct 21, 6:01 AM
3. Alaska's News SourceTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
4. U.S. Department of AgricultureTrump Administration Announces $8 Billion Harvest Fuel Relief ProgramOct 19, 9:20 PM
5. CBS NewsTrump pledges $8 billion in relief for farmers struggling with soaring diesel pricesOct 20, 1:48 PM

Texas Corn Producers · WSFA 12 · KAIT 8+21 moreHide

1. Texas Corn ProducersTexas Corn Producers welcomes USDA's Harvest Fuel Relief ProgramOct 20, 8:00 AM
2. WSFA 12Trump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
3. KAIT 8Trump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
4. azfamilyTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
5. Atlanta News FirstTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
6. Hawaii News NowTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
7. KCRGTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
8. KMVTTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
9. WKYTTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
10. WLBT 3Trump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
11. WBTVTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
12. KFYRTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
13. Valley News LiveTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
14. WOWTTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
15. FOX19Trump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
16. 13 ABCTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
17. WISTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
18. KOTATrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
19. Dakota News NowTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
20. WCAXTrump announces $8B plan to provide relief for farmersOct 21, 4:25 PM
21. WAPTFarmers react to $8 billion harvest fuel relief amid rising diesel costsOct 21, 5:11 PM
22. Daily MontananUSDA offering $8B in farmer relief paymentsOct 21, 2:51 PM
23. SC Daily GazetteUSDA offering $8B in farmer relief paymentsOct 21, 3:15 PM
24. South Dakota SearchlightUSDA offering $8B in farmer relief paymentsOct 20, 3:48 PM

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