The Trump Administration announced Monday $12 billion will go to farmers nationwide, including to farmers right here in the Tar Heel State. The administration says the aid is meant to offset temporary trade market disruptions - caused by tariffs - and increased production costs.
Charles Hall of the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association says it will be a tremendous help to farmers across the state.
"It's gonna make more farmers be able to farm again this year," he said.
Brandon Batten is the co-owner of his family's farm, Triple B Farms, in Four Oaks in Johnston County. They grow a handful of crops like soybeans, wheat, and corn.
"The aid package announced yesterday will do a lot to get farmers into another year," he said.
$11 billion in one-time payments will be made through the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, according to the USDA. Eligible recipients include producers of crops such as soybeans, wheat, and corn. The aid covers a portion of modeled losses during the 2025 crop year.
It's coming at a time when uncertainty is rocking the agricultural community, including soybean farmers.
"Friends call me daily. I had a call a while ago, you know, 'What do you think's gonna happen? What should we do? How should we plan,'" said Batten.
Much of the uncertainty stems from retaliatory tariffs and the loss of the world's largest buyer of soybeans - China - from the American market.
Chinese buyers started buying soybeans from Brazil after the U.S. increased tariffs on Chinese products.
"When we lose access to those markets and those supply chains, run dry, all boats sink," said Hall.
While those in the industry welcome the aid, some say they see it as a bridge to get farmers into the next year, and not a long-term fix.
"At the end of the day, I still think we've got a lot to overcome," said Batten. "We need the markets. We need the opportunities to sell everywhere we can. And we need stability."
Hall says American agricultural products need to be better marketed on a global scale to ensure more long-term investment for farmers.
"It doesn't fix the underlying things that really challenge farmers. So we do need continued government investment for the long term in things like market development," said Hall.
The administration says the payments are set to roll out in February, but details about the payment structure still remain.