WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — Producers are enrolling in key farm safety-net programs after the first expansion of base acres in 20 years, adding more than 30 million acres to the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs.
USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to explain how the expansion reflects changes in agriculture, including shifts in what crops are being planted across the country.
In his interview with RFD News, Fordyce pointed to the Dakotas as one example, saying areas that once featured large amounts of small grains now have more corn and soybeans.
“This is the ability to kind of right-size or reset what agriculture is looking like in the countryside today,” he said.
USDA Adds 30 Million New Base Acres
USDA reviewed planting history from 2019 through 2023 to determine how to allocate additional base acres.
More than 30 million acres were eligible, so USDA applied a 3.69% prorated reduction to the newly allocated base acres.
Fordyce said every state received additional acres, with the Dakotas among those receiving some of the largest allocations. Michigan and Wisconsin also received additional base acres.
Changes to ARC and Crop Insurance
Another change allows farmers who elect Agriculture Risk Coverage to combine it with certain additional crop insurance coverage.
Fordyce says the change allows producers with ARC coverage to purchase additional percentage protection through their crop insurance or risk management program.
He said that option had previously been prohibited for producers who elected ARC.
Regenerative Agriculture Investment
USDA is also increasing financial assistance for its Regenerative Pilot Program.
Fordyce says the program uses existing Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program structures to support practices that improve or maintain soil health.
The program was funded at $700 million for 2026 and has been increased to $1 billion for 2027.
“Healthy soils grow healthier plants, and probably requires less inputs,” Fordyce said.
The program is designed to support producers across different types of agriculture, including forage, row crops, specialty crops and orchards.
Fordyce says USDA is also working with land-grant universities, extension programs and commodity organizations as more producers become familiar with the program.
