By Jamie Martin
American farmers will soon have access to expanded farm safety net programs as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) begins enrollment for the 2026 Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs.
The update represents the first major expansion of base acres in approximately 20 years. More than 30 million new base acres have been added, increasing opportunities for producers to participate in federal farm support programs.
Enrollment for the 2026 crop year opens September 16, 2026, and closes December 11, 2026. Producers who wish to enroll for the 2027 crop year can do so between November 2, 2026, and March 15, 2027.
Because eligible acreage requests exceeded the nationwide cap, USDA's Farm Service Agency reduced all newly allocated base acres by 3.69%. The reduction was applied equally across all newly allocated acres to remain within the program limit.
Landowners had until August 31, 2026, to review and update their base allocation information. Those who did not request changes will have their records treated as accurate, and allocations will be finalized automatically following the national adjustment.
“President Trump and Secretary Rollins are putting Farmers First by providing increased access to the farm safety net,” said Under Secretary Richard Fordyce. “In addition to expanded base acres, farmers now also have the opportunity to change their program election to best support the economic viability of their operations.”
Beginning September 16, producers and landowners can access allocation information through USDA's online systems or by visiting local FSA offices. The notifications will outline the final acreage assigned to each farm.
ARC and PLC are designed to protect producers from financial challenges associated with declining crop prices and revenue losses. Producers can select the coverage option that best matches their operation.
ARC-CO and PLC provide protection for individual crops, while ARC-IC covers the entire farm. These options allow producers to customize support based on their production practices and risk exposure.
Farmers must complete enrollment through a signed contract each year. Multi-year agreements that existed previously ended in 2025, but producers may now choose a new multi-year contract that runs through 2031. Those who prefer annual enrollment can continue selecting options each year.
USDA reminds producers that failing to submit a program election by December 11, 2026, will result in their previous election remaining unchanged. However, they will not qualify for 2026 program payments unless enrollment requirements are completed.
The programs cover many major U.S. commodities, including corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, barley, oats, grain sorghum, peanuts, chickpeas, lentils, canola, sunflower seed, and other eligible crops.
To support informed decision-making, universities across the country offer online planning resources that help estimate possible program outcomes. Producers can compare ARC and PLC scenarios using data specific to their farming operations.
Changes to crop insurance programs have also increased flexibility. Farmers are now allowed to purchase Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) and Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) policies regardless of whether they enroll in ARC or PLC.
One important consideration remains for cotton growers. Participation in ARC or PLC using seed cotton base acres makes producers ineligible for Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX) coverage on cotton planted on the same farm.
USDA encourages farmers to evaluate available options before enrolling. Expanded acreage eligibility, updated coverage choices and enhanced insurance flexibility provide producers with additional tools to manage risk and improve the long-term stability of their operations.
These updates strengthen the agricultural safety net and give farmers greater flexibility to respond to changing market conditions and production challenges.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National