WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the enrollment period for the Farmer Bridge Assistance program opened Monday, Feb. 23. The program provides $11 billion in one-time bridge payments to row crop producers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs.

The enrollment period closes April 17.

The bridge payments are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and are administered by the Farm Service Agency. Bridge payments are intended in part to aid farmers until historic investments from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including reference prices that are set to increase between 10-21% for major covered commodities, reach eligible farmers after Oct. 1, according to the USDA.