Federal farm assistance dollars are moving quickly into the rural economy through the Farmer Bridge Payment Program. North Dakota Farm Service Agency Executive Director Brad Thykeson says farmers were ready for the program when it launched on February 23, and payments have already been distributed to a majority of eligible producers. “Between the bankers and the farmers and the vendors, everybody’s happy to see this money get into the farming economy.” Thykeson says the FSA has made the application process flexible so producers can easily participate. “Yeah, we’ve been using different forms of technology. You know, we can do our eAuth Level 2 on our iPhones or even on your computer to get into your farmers.gov account. And of course, we still do it the old-fashioned way, where a producer can call, get the application mailed to them, sign it with ink and paper, and mail it back.” Officials say more than $500 million in Bridge Payment Program funds have already been distributed in North Dakota, and the application period is expected to remain open until April 17.
