Marketplace Morning Report Aid for farmers, but not from tariffs
Nov 18, 2025
Nancy Marshall-Genzer, a Marketplace reporter specializing in agriculture, explains the USDA's $16 billion disaster aid for farmers hit by natural disasters. Drew Mattis from MetLife dives into market trends, discussing equity concentration and risk behavior amid economic uncertainty. Mahir Mysore from McKinsey shares insights on how AI is revolutionizing the management of tariffs and supply-chain disruptions, while highlighting the importance of human expertise in this tech-driven landscape.
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USDA’s $16B Disaster Aid Targets Specialty Crops
- The USDA is launching a second round of $16 billion in disaster aid aimed at specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts.
- Eligible growers can receive up to $900,000 a year if farming income makes up ≥75% of their adjusted gross income.
Wide Disaster Coverage And Reimbursements
- The aid covers a wide range of disasters including wildfires, floods, freezes, heat and in some cases drought.
- Farmers may also be reimbursed for products destroyed due to logistical disruptions, like spoiled milk when roads close.
Tariff Aid Still Under Review
- Tariff-related aid remains unresolved as USDA staff returned from the shutdown and are still "crunching the numbers."
- That delay leaves farmers awaiting compensation tied to President Trump's tariffs.