Trump reveals $8B Harvest Relief Program to reduce diesel costs for farmers

October 20, 2026

Trump Announces New Relief Program for Farmers

During a campaign rally in Kansas on Monday, President Donald Trump unveiled a new initiative aimed at supporting farmers dealing with high diesel prices. The program, called the Harvest Fuel Relief Program (HFR), will provide $8 billion in assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

At the rally, which also served as a platform to endorse Senator Roger Marshall and gubernatorial hopeful Ty Masterson, Trump emphasized the importance of this relief package. “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 of support to offset diesel costs during this harvest season,” he stated, recognizing Marshall’s efforts in making the program possible.

Brooke Rollins, the U.S. Agriculture Secretary, shared her excitement on social media, noting that the program is designed to offer essential support to farmers who are facing challenges due to rising costs and disruptions in the market. She remarked, “President Trump is putting FARMERS FIRST and delivering when they need it most!”

The funds will be offered as one-time payments to qualifying farmers, as detailed in a USDA press release. Rollins expressed her belief that Trump is the most supportive president for farmers in recent history.

This new relief initiative draws similarities to the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program in its approach to covering losses during the 2026 crop year. The USDA plans to distribute the payments using established formulas based on various agricultural data, with the rollout beginning in November.

Importantly, while the Harvest Fuel Relief Program will not require crop insurance for participation, the USDA encourages farmers to utilize the risk management features available under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to safeguard against future price instability.

The USDA also highlighted past efforts by the Trump administration, including over $12 billion in one-time payments to more than 560,000 farmers and nearly $14 billion in recent payments through other agricultural support programs.