Brief
Trump announces $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief program for farmers
The plan, announced at a Kansas rally, will provide proportional support to producers during the 2026 crop year.
By Felo News Desk · Published
President Donald Trump announced an $8 billion "Harvest Fuel Relief" program aimed at offsetting record diesel costs for American farmers. The announcement came during a rally in Kansas on Monday night, where Trump was supporting GOP Sen. Roger Marshall.
What happened
Trump said the Department of Agriculture will launch the program to cover a portion of modeled losses for the 2026 crop year. Diesel prices had risen 75% over the past year, peaking at $6.53 per gallon on Sept. 22 and easing to $6.32 per gallon on the Tuesday before the announcement, according to AAA. The relief will be calculated using Farm Service Agency data and will be distributed proportionally to producers.
What the reports add
The New York Post noted that a similar $12 billion program was offered in December to more than 560,000 farmers affected by trade‑war disruptions. It also linked the current relief effort to ongoing geopolitical issues, citing oil supply disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz closure and Houthi attacks on Saudi facilities as factors keeping fuel prices unstable.
What was said
"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," Trump told the rally, according to the Post. He added, "And when the Republicans win, we will pass even more funding for our farmers. We love our farmers." The American Farm Bureau Federation issued a statement welcoming the plan, saying it looks forward to working with the president and USDA to ensure specialty crop growers, livestock producers, and fishermen receive needed support.
How it came about
The relief effort follows a year of soaring diesel and fertilizer prices, which have driven many farmers into financial distress. Monthly Chapter 12 bankruptcies hit a six‑year high in April, according to Law360. The administration’s earlier $12 billion program and the current geopolitical context, including the war on Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, set the stage for this new initiative.
Key facts
- President Trump announced an $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief program for farmers. (nypost.com)
- Diesel prices rose 75% over the past year, peaking at $6.53 per gallon on Sept. 22. (nypost.com)
- The program will use Farm Service Agency data to calculate proportional payouts. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Trump promises $8 billion in relief to farmers reeling from high diesel costs”
