RALEIGH, N.C. – At the NC Chamber of Commerce’s Ag Allies Conference at North Carolina State University on Tuesday, U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden spotlighted the rapid rollout and expansion of the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, or ECAP, which has already funneled more than $138 million to North Carolina producers—and billions more across the nation.

Vaden told those in attendance that the program is a prime example of how the USDA, under the leadership of the Trump administration and Secretary Brooke Rollins, is cutting red tape and prioritizing efficiency.

“Thanks to there being additional monies available,” Vaden announced, “we’re going to pump out—on top of the nearly $10 billion we have put out under this program nationwide—an additional $2 billion.”

ECAP was created as part of the American Relief Act, passed by Congress on Dec. 21, 2024. The bill not only funded the federal government through March 14, but also provided direct financial relief to producers impacted by volatile market conditions, supply chain disruptions and natural disasters.

But what’s most notable about ECAP is how it works.

“Producers were greeted at their county office … with a form that was already filled out for them,” Vaden explained. “All they had to do was look at that form, ensure that the information printed there was accurate, and affix their signatures. Once they did so, three business days later, the monies … rolled into their checking accounts.”

That speed and simplicity, Vaden argued, is not just about technological innovation—it’s about operational reform.

“It’s not an issue of how many people you have,” he said. “It’s an issue of how effectively you use those people … It’s about time the federal government started doing so.”

Since President Donald Trump returned to office on Jan. 20, the USDA workforce has declined by about 21,000 employees.

For farmers who have already signed up for ECAP, the next round of payments will arrive without any further action.

“They need do nothing more than watch their checking accounts. This week … they will be delivered through direct deposit without any further action on their part,” Vaden said.

The payment rate factor for those losses is set at 99 percent, according to Vaden. For farmers and producers, this means nearly all losses incurred in recent years will now be covered under ECAP. The payments are about more than short-term relief—they support long-term agricultural sustainability and economic growth.

“The payments are short term. Long term, it’s a supply-demand equation,” he said.

That equation, according to Vaden, includes investments in renewable fuels like biodiesel and synthetic aviation fuel. He praised the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to raise biodiesel blend requirements in transportation fuels, calling it a win for both farmers and the environment.

“Every gallon of biofuel in this country means more soy is being used. It’s good for the environment. It’s good for our farm economy,” Vaden said. “American energy dominance is as much about farming as it is about petroleum.”

The USDA’s support for biofuels is part of a broader vision tying energy independence to domestic agriculture—reducing reliance on foreign oil while boosting demand for crops grown on American soil.