The U.S. Department of Agriculture is preparing to implement a major expansion of the federal farm safety net by adding up to 30 million new base acres to the Agricultural Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs. Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce explains that this update, authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, targets cropland with active production history that has been previously uncovered by these safety net programs. Farm Director KC Sheperd reports on how this expansion will impact landowners and operators across the country.
Understanding the Base Acre Allocation
The USDA is currently in the middle of this additional base acre allocation, which was directed by specific language in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The 30 million additional base acres will be distributed nationwide.
To prepare for the rollout, the Farm Service Agency is conducting a comprehensive review of historical planting data.
The FSA is currently finalizing what is being called a “history dig”.
This process aims to identify the exact number of acres planted in specific crops from 2019 to 2023.
Once this research is complete, the agency will establish the precise number of eligible acres.
Once the data is finalized, Landowners will receive notification of any eligible additional base acres and information regarding any elections or decisions required through the Farm Service Agency.
However, Fordyce notes a strict limitation on how these acres may be applied: the total base acre designation cannot exceed the farm’s actual physical footprint. For example, a producer operating a 100-acre farm cannot establish 120 acres of base.
Crucial Action Items and Timeline for Landowners
When the official notifications are delivered, landowners will automatically receive the allocation unless they choose otherwise. The only required action is if a landowner decides to opt out of the additional safety net coverage. Landowners who choose to opt out will have a strict 90-day window from the time of notification to officially inform the Farm Service Agency of their decision.
Important Communication Needed Between Operators and Landlords
A critical logistical aspect of this program is that the official USDA eligibility notifications are mailed directly to landowners, not to the tenants or farm operators who may actually be leasing and working the ground. Because a significant percentage of American farmland is rented, Fordyce urges farm operators to communicate immediately with their landlords.
Operators should ensure their landowners are aware that these letters are arriving and help explain what the notification means. Securing these additional base acres means the farm will have more acreage eligible for primary safety net programs like ARC and PLC, directly strengthening the operation’s financial risk management.
