Michael Fields Agricultural Institute Statement on USDA's Bridge Payments and Regenerative Ag Pilot

By Policy Fellow Dr. Success Okafor and Executive Director Ryan Martin

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is rolling out $12 billion in bridge payments for farmers facing trade disruptions and financial pressures. Bridge payments are temporary emergency funds intended to help producers cover losses during sudden market challenges. That's welcome news for producers who've been struggling, but how this money actually gets distributed will make all the difference.

see the USDA press release HERE

At Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, we've spent 40 years working directly with farmers on soil health, diversified cropping systems, and conservation practices. We know farmers need both immediate help and long-term support to build resilient operations. 

Here's what concerns us about the bridge payment program: of the $12 billion total, $11 billion is earmarked for commodity crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat, while only $1 billion is designated for specialty crops, with important details still to be announced. Yes, commodity crops make up the majority of the food system, but that dominance is also the source of systemic fragility. 

This pattern continues a long-standing problem of emergency payments flowing mostly to the biggest commodity operations, while smaller and mid-sized farms that grow diverse crops, build soil health, and practice regenerative agriculture see very little support - even though these farms are essential to creating sustainable food systems.

With limited USDA guidance about the program, and farmers facing a tight December 19 deadline to verify acreage, we'd like to see the agency address several critical gaps:

-Be transparent about how losses are calculated and how payment decisions are made.

-Ensure that diversified farmers can actually access this money. Organic growers, specialty crop producers, cover crop adopters, and regenerative farmers shouldn't be left out of a program meant to support American agriculture. 

-Provide strong technical assistance for smaller farms and beginning farmers who need help navigating federal programs. Through our work supporting farmer networks across the Upper Midwest, we know these barriers are real.

-Align this relief with conservation goals and soil health practices that help farmers build long-term resilience, not just survive the next crisis.

Emergency relief is critical right now, but it shouldn't just be a band-aid. Federal support should strengthen the kinds of diversified, soil-building farming systems that can weather economic and environmental challenges over time. Diversity is the foundation of resilience - economically, biologically, and culturally.

We applaud today's USDA announcement of a new Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program, a $700 million initiative intended to streamline access to soil health and conservation funding through a single application. This is a very meaningful change, but the agency’s announcement leaves key details unclear, including how eligibility, prioritization of practices, payment levels, and verification will be handled.  These implementation choices will determine whether a range of farms can participate effectively or whether larger operations will again capture most of the benefits.

see the USDA press release HERE

This program certainly has the potential to advance diversified and regenerative systems that build long term resilience, but clear standards and accessible delivery will be necessary. When implementation is rushed or unclear, smaller and diversified farms with limited administrative capacity are often the ones who lose access. A well-organized rollout is essential to avoid deepening existing inequities.

As both the bridge payments and the Regenerative Pilot are implemented, USDA has an opportunity to align short term relief with long term resilience by ensuring that all farmers can participate meaningfully in these programs.

MFAI stands ready to help farmers across the Upper Midwest understand what these programs mean for their operations, as USDA provides more clarity.  We are committed to providing research, education, and policy work to ensure all farmers have the tools and support they need to thrive.

READ THE 12.11.25 PUBLIC NEW SERVICE INTERVIEW WITH DR. OKAFOR HERE

To support our work to advance diversified and regenerative systems, donate to our 2025 Annual Appeal.

MFAI Policy Fellow Dr. Success Okafor is an agricultural economist who received his PhD from North Carolina A&T State University. His work focuses on innovative and controlled-environment agriculture, using GIS, econometrics, and policy analysis to explore opportunities for strengthening soil health, improving market access, and supporting resilient and diversified agricultural systems.

MFAI Executive Director Ryan Martin is a homestead farmer and former agriculture teacher at Midcoast School of Technology. He taught crop science and sustainable greenhouse systems at Kennebec Valley Community College. Before becoming Executive Director at MFAI, he ran Viles Arboretum, a 220-acre public center for agroforestry and climate resilience in Augusta, Maine.