The Arkansas Farm Bureau (ARFB) responded Monday to the Trump Administration’s $12 billion farm aid package, saying the measure falls short of addressing the ongoing challenges faced by farmers.
The administration announced the aid would be allocated as one-time “bridging payments” to help farmers impacted by trade disruptions and rising production costs. While the package is intended to provide temporary relief, ARFB emphasized that the problems facing farmers extend far beyond the $12 billion allocation.
“For the past three years, many row crop, specialty crop, and timber producers have operated at a loss. A program that provides roughly $50 an acre will not save the thousands of family farms that will go bankrupt before the end of the year,” the organization said in a statement.
ARFB highlighted that Arkansas currently leads the nation in Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies, signaling ongoing financial insecurity for many local farmers. The organization urged Congress to provide additional assistance beyond the Farmer Bridge Assistance program before the next crop year.
“We must take care of our farmers and ranchers who ensure Americans have a safe and reliable food supply,” said Arkansas Farm Bureau President Dan Wright.
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