Specialty crop producers must apply for federal program by next week

Specialty crop producers have five days left to apply for a federal program providing $2 billion to help keep U.S. specialty crops competitive.

Eligible producers must submit applications and other forms for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program at local Farm Service Agency offices by Jan. 8. These offices are located in USDA Service Centers, a list of which can be found at this link.

Applications opened Dec. 10. Payments are capped at $125,000 per eligible producer.

More information, including a fact sheet, about the process is available online.

MASC is aimed at helping specialty crop producers offset higher marketing costs related to perishability, handling and transport costs, packaging and labor.

USDA is also creating the Commodity Storage Assistance Program, which will provide $140 million to help producers access necessary pre-market storage for their crops following severe weather events. Applications for that program are also expected to open this month.

“From providing high-quality, nutritious, American-grown fruits, vegetables and nuts to our nation and the world, to serving as economic pillars of their communities, specialty crop producers play a critical role in the success of U.S. agriculture,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a Nov. 19 release announcing the MASC program. “The Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops and Commodity Storage Assistance programs will be important for producers in every corner of the United States, but they come at an especially critical time for Southeastern farmers, who will face a difficult and long recovery after this season’s devastating hurricanes.”