SALT LAKE CITY — A recently announced $12 billion federal assistance program intended to support American farmers during tough economic times may offer little relief to agricultural producers in Utah. While the package provides substantial backing for large-scale crop operations such as corn and grain farming, the majority of farms in the state operate outside this model and may not qualify for significant aid.
Approximately $11 billion of the total funding is directed toward row-crop agriculture, which dominates in other parts of the country but represents a smaller share of Utah’s farming sector. As a result, local producers are left uncertain about how much support they will actually receive.
Matt Hargreaves of the Utah Farm Bureau expressed cautious optimism, noting that many farm operators are already under pressure. “It’s been really difficult,” he said in an interview. “Producers across the nation have faced prolonged financial strain, compounded by high inflation and historically low market prices for their goods.”
Utah’s agricultural industry generates around $2.3 billion in annual sales, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, fluctuating input costs, trade-related tariffs, and ongoing labor shortages have made profitability unpredictable.
Although the federal announcement brought some hope, key details about eligibility and distribution remain unclear. Hargreaves emphasized that many in the farming community are waiting for the next iteration of the farm bill, expected next year, which could offer more targeted support.
“There’s a convergence of challenges right now,” he explained. “We’re dealing with inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, and workforce gaps—all at once.”
Despite these hurdles, Hargreaves underscored the essential role farmers play in society. “They’re foundational to our communities and central to our cultural identity. Their work enables the rest of us to pursue our livelihoods.”
— news from KSL.com
— News Original —
Utah farmers may miss out on federal aid amid economic struggles
SALT LAKE CITY — President Donald Trump announced a $12 billion aid package aimed at helping the nation ‘s struggling farmers. But Utah farmers may not see much of that relief — at a time when costs are high, and profits are low. n nThe bulk of that money — about $11 billion — will go toward row farming, which includes crops like corn and grain. n nIn Utah, most farms don ‘t fall under that category. So really, farmers here are hopeful they can make it through to early next year when the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” is expected to bolster their bottom lines. n nFor many, the situation feels dire. n n”It ‘s been really hard,” Matt Hargreaves, with the Utah Farm Bureau, told KSL. n nFarming is a way of life for thousands of Utahns. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farming sales make up $2.3 billion annually in Utah. But profits and losses can vary greatly year to year. n nHargreaves said the challenges are mounting. n n”Farmers throughout our country have had some hard times economically,” he said. “This is on the back of historic inflation, and they ‘re receiving some of the lowest prices they ‘ve seen in quite some time.” n nWhile the president ‘s announcement brought hope to some, Hargreaves said details remain unclear. n n”A lot of details are still up in the air,” he said. “It ‘s not clear what the new farm aid plan will offer to Utah farmers who may not qualify for funds.” n nTrump expressed confidence in the plan during remarks Tuesday. n n”We gave the farmers a little help, $12 billion, and they are so happy, and all they want is a level playing field, and now it ‘s happening, and the tariffs are making them rich. It ‘s gonna be, you ‘re gonna see, you ‘re gonna see what happens over the next two years,” Trump said in a press conference. n nBut in Utah, relief may not come until next year when the updated farm bill could provide support. Until then, farmers face what Hargreaves calls a “perfect storm” — inflation, tariffs and labor shortages. n n”Farmers are indispensable,” he said. “They are the bedrock of our community, the fabric of our culture. Because of what they do, it allows all of us to do what we want to do.”