Farmer Resources

Farmer Resources

Farmer Resources

Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)

Secretary Brooke Rollins has announced the USDA’s Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year. This program was passed last Congress, with $10 billion allocated to economic assistance, among other disaster funding.

Producers must submit ECAP applications to their local FSA county office by Aug. 15, 2025. Only one application is required for all ECAP-eligible commodities nationwide.

Courtesy of USDA:

Eligible Commodities and Payment Rates
 
The commodities below are eligible for these per-acre payment rates:

 -Wheat - $30.69
 -Corn - $42.91
-Sorghum - $42.52
 -Barley - $21.67
 -Oats - $77.66
 -Upland cotton & Extra-long staple cotton - $84.74
 -Long & medium grain rice - $76.94
 -Peanuts - $75.51
 -Soybeans - $29.76
 -Dry peas - $16.02
 -Lentils - $19.30
 -Small Chickpeas - $31.45
 -Large Chickpeas - $24.02

Eligible oilseeds:
-Canola - $31.83
-Crambe - $19.08
-Flax - $20.97
-Mustard - $11.36
-Rapeseed - $23.63
-Safflower - $26.32
-Sesame - $16.83
-Sunflower - $27.23


Producer Eligibility
 
Eligible producers must report 2024 crop year planted and prevented planted acres to FSA on an FSA-578, Report of Acreage form. Producers who have not previously reported 2024 crop year acreage or filed a notice of loss for prevented planted crops must submit an acreage report by the Aug. 15, 2025, deadline. Eligible producers can visit fsa.usda.gov/ecap for eligibility and payment details.
 
Applying for ECAP
 
Producers must submit ECAP applications to their local FSA county office by Aug. 15, 2025. Only one application is required for all ECAP eligible commodities nationwide. ECAP applications can be submitted to FSA in-person, electronically using Box and One-Span, by fax or by applying online at fsa.usda.gov/ecap utilizing a secure login.gov account.
 
If not already on file for the 2024 crop year, producers must have the following forms on file with FSA: 

  • Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet.
  • Form CCC-901, Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable).
  • Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity.
  • Form CCC 943, 75 percent of Average Gross Income from Farming, Ranching, or Forestry Certification (if applicable).
  • AD-1026, Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification.
  • SF-3881, Direct Deposit.

 
Except for the new CCC-943, most producers, especially those who have previously participated in FSA programs, likely have these forms on file. However, those who are uncertain and want to confirm the status of their forms or need to submit the new Form-943, can contact their local FSA county office.
 
If a producer does not receive a pre-filled ECAP application, and they planted or were prevented from planting ECAP eligible commodities in 2024, they should contact their local FSA office.
 
ECAP Payments and Calculator
 
ECAP payments will be issued as applications are approved. Initial ECAP payments will be factored by 85% to ensure that total program payments do not exceed available funding. If additional funds remain, FSA may issue a second payment.
 
ECAP assistance will be calculated using a flat payment rate for the eligible commodity multiplied by the eligible reported acres. Payments are based on acreage and not production. For acres reported as prevented plant, ECAP assistance will be calculated at 50%.
 
For ECAP payment estimates, producers are encouraged to visit fsa.usda.gov/ecap to use the ECAP online calculator.