USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

Funding for specialty crop funding was left out of a final year-end economic assistance package. The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has since promised an additional $650 million in funding for its Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program. The deadline for the MASC application was also extended to Friday, January 10.

The MASC program is intended to help specialty crop producers expand markets and manage higher costs. FSA increased the MASC payment limit from $125,000 to $900,000. The funds help specialty crop producers offset costs related to:

  • Perishability of specialty crops
  • Specialized handling and transport equipment with temperature and humidity control
  • Packaging to prevent damage
  • Moving perishables to market quickly
  • Higher labor costs

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance said the additional funding would play a key role in stabilizing farms, ensuring the strength of the industry and safeguarding the availability of domestically grown specialty crops. Increasing payment limitations and extending the application window will provide growers with much-needed resources to navigate difficult times.

Read more about the USDA’s efforts to assist specialty crop growers here.