Arkansas farmers may receive over $150 million in total disaster relief following a second round of Supplemental Disaster Relief Program payments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to an April 28 announcement.
The additional funds come as many Arkansas producers face high fuel and input costs. The relief is intended to help offset losses caused by natural disasters during 2023 and 2024, providing crucial support for the state’s agricultural sector.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the deadline for applying for SDRP payments has been extended from April 30 to August 12. These payments are available to eligible producers with approved applications for losses due to natural disasters in calendar years 2023 and 2024. Hunter Biram, extension economist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said, “As of April 24, SDRP payments to Arkansas farmers totaled around $76 million. Assuming a doubling of the payment rate from 35 percent to 70 percent, total payments to Arkansas farmers would total around $152 million.” Biram also said that this “top up” will cover about ten percent of negative net farm income experienced after accounting for other assistance received in 2025.
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency has already provided $6.7 billion in SDRP payments nationwide and has made more than $17.9 billion available through various supplemental disaster programs since last year as mandated by Congress under the American Relief Act of 2025. Stage one SDRP remains open for those who received indemnity under crop insurance or NAP due to qualifying events in either year; stage two covers losses not included under stage one provisions.
Eligible losses must result from events such as wildfires, hurricanes, floods, excessive heat or droughts rated D2 (severe) or higher on the U.S. Drought Monitor lasting at least eight consecutive weeks during the applicable year.
The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service receives funding through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state appropriations according to its official website. The Extension Service supports social cohesion by offering programs tailored for rural, urban and suburban communities according to its official website. It delivers these programs using county offices and research centers across Arkansas according to its official website. As part of the University System Division of Agriculture according to its official website, it operates in all seventy-five counties with specialists on five university campuses according to its official website. Its goal is enhancing agriculture, communities and families through research-backed practices according to its official website.
Broader implications suggest these expanded federal resources could provide some stability amid ongoing challenges faced by local producers while reinforcing efforts made at both state and community levels.
