Forest Landowners Association Applauds USDA Farmer Bridge Payments, Urges Inclusion of Private Forest Landowners
Washington, DC — The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) welcomes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement of $12 billion in farmer bridge payments to assist American farmers impacted by unfair trade practices, and emphasized the importance of ensuring private forest landowners are included in this assistance.
Private forest landowners are farmers, and timber is an agricultural commodity. Collectively, private working forests supply approximately 90 percent of the domestic timber harvest and steward working forests across rural America, many of which are multi-generational family businesses that support local economies, domestic manufacturing, and housing supply chains.
“FLA appreciates USDA and the Trump Administration’s focus on rural prosperity and their commitment to supporting farmers facing trade-related challenges,” said Scott Jones, CEO of the Forest Landowners Association. “We look forward to working with USDA to ensure that all impacted farmers, including private forest landowners, are eligible for this assistance.”
Unlike other agricultural producers, forest landowners have limited access to safety net tools. Forestry has no federal crop insurance program and few mechanisms to manage prolonged market disruptions caused by unfair trade practices, mill closures, or natural disasters. Because timber production occurs on rotations that span decades, these impacts often persist long after short-term market shocks.
“Bridge payments are intended to help farmers stay afloat while longer-term solutions are developed,” Jones added. “Including private forest landowners will help stabilize rural communities, sustain investment in forest management, and protect the domestic timber supply that American consumers and businesses rely on.”
FLA stands ready to work with USDA and the Trump Administration to ensure this assistance is implemented in a way that treats all agricultural producers equitably and strengthens America’s working lands.