Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for $10 billion in market-based disaster assistance. This initiative is part of legislation passed in December, with Hoeven working alongside Agriculture Secretary Rollins to ensure its swift implementation.

The Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) will utilize a streamlined application process to expedite aid distribution. Producers will receive pre-filled applications based on their 2024 acreage reporting data starting March 19, 2025. Those who have not yet submitted their plant and prevent plant data for 2024 can do so until August 15, 2025. Applications can be submitted online or at local Farm Service Agency offices.

Initial payments are expected to be released by March 21, covering 85 percent of the total assistance amount. A supplemental payment will follow in the summer. ECAP assistance is calculated using a flat payment rate per eligible commodity multiplied by reported acres. For prevented plant acres, assistance is set at 50 percent.

Eligible commodities include wheat, corn, sorghum, barley, oats, soybeans, dry peas, lentils, chickpeas, canola, flaxseed and sunflower seeds among others. Only one application is needed for all eligible commodities under ECAP.

“This $10 billion in assistance is an important step to help producers recover from the challenging markets and comes as part of our commitment to keep our farmers and ranchers in the game," said Senator Hoeven. "We worked to ensure a streamlined process to provide producers with certainty and timely access to assistance."

Further information can be found on USDA’s website: https://fsa.usda.gov/ecap. Senator Hoeven continues his efforts with USDA on advancing $21 billion in weather-related assistance for losses incurred during 2023 and 2024.