Agricultural Retailers Association Supports Farmer Bridge Assistance Program
The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is expressing strong support for the Trump administration’s recently announced Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, highlighting its importance in helping farmers manage financial uncertainty and maintain access to critical crop inputs during a challenging agricultural economy.
ARA leadership emphasized that the program comes at a crucial time, as farmers are making key purchasing decisions for the upcoming growing season while facing volatile markets, shifting trade conditions, and rising input costs.
Richard Gupton, ARA’s Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Counsel said, “ARA strongly supports President Trump’s Farmer Bridge Assistance payments as a critical step to help farmers navigate an increasingly uncertain ag landscape. Agricultural retailers provide their farmer customers timely access to essential crop inputs, and with purchases being made now, these payments provide important assurance they can continue operating,” said Richard Gupton, ARA’s SVP of Public Policy and Counsel. “Retailers don’t set prices and cannot control factors like trade conditions, weather, or product availability, which is why greater certainty around tariffs—especially with our closest trading partners—and a modernized USMCA are urgently needed. We encourage the administration to explore practical credit and lending tools that help farmers access inputs today and pay over time, so retailers can continue serving as trusted advisors while operating on slim margins.”
ARA’s support underscores the interconnected relationship between farmers and agricultural retailers. Retailers often extend credit, manage supply risks, and provide agronomic guidance, all while operating within tight financial margins. According to the association, timely assistance payments can help stabilize this relationship by ensuring farmers have the resources needed to purchase seed, fertilizer, crop protection products, and other inputs critical to production.
The organization also pointed to broader policy concerns, including the need for more predictable trade relationships and updated trade agreements. Tariff uncertainty and global market disruptions continue to affect both farm profitability and the cost structure faced by ag retailers.
The Farmer Bridge Assistance funds will be administered through the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Producers interested in participating are encouraged to contact their local FSA office for guidance and application details. Officials note that farmers should reach out before December 19th to ensure timely consideration.
As planting season approaches, ARA says programs like FBA can play a key role in maintaining stability across the agricultural supply chain, supporting both farm operations and the retailers who serve them.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.