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Update: USDA Extends Available Monies, Payment Limits, Application Deadline for Specialty Crop Funding Program

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January 6, 2025

Updated Alert: January 6, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the application deadline and increased funding for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program. 

IFPA notified members on Dec. 9, 2024, that the program, administered by the Farm Service Agency, would offer financial support to specialty crop farmers to address rising costs and enhance market opportunities for fruits, vegetables, herbs, floriculture, and nursery crops. 

Key updates announced by USDA on Jan. 6, 2025 include:  

  • Additional Funding: $650 million has been added to the program, raising the total available funds to $2.65 billion. 
  • Increased Payment Limitation: The maximum payment per farmer has increased from $125,000 to $900,000. 
  • Extended Deadline: The application deadline has been extended by two days, now closing on Jan. 10, 2025. 

Apply here. 

Access a new FAQ document on the program.  

IFPA members can contact Kathy Sayers [202-720-6870; Kathy.Sayers@usda.gov] with questions about applying for the new program or contact IFPA Director, Production & Environmental Policy Sara Neagu-Reed at sneagu@freshproduce.com. 

In November 2024, IFPA and the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance commended the USDA for announcing the availability of this specialty crop funding and encouraged Congress to enact additional supplemental relief for growers. Learn more about IFPA’s advocacy efforts.      

Original Alert: December 9, 2024

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the application window for a new $2 billion program designed to support specialty crop farmers. Applications open December 10, 2024, and close on January 8, 2025.

The Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program, administered by the Farm Service Agency, will provide eligible specialty crop producers “with marketing assistance payments that will help them engage in activities that aid in expanding domestic specialty crop markets or in developing new markets for their specialty crops,” USDA noted. 

Important Resources 

Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC):

  • Total funding available: $2 billion
  • Helps growers manage higher costs and expand markets for fruits, vegetables, herbs, floriculture, and nursery crops. For crops requiring specialized handling, temperature and humidity control, quick transport, and high labor costs.
  • Deadline: January 8, 2025.
  • Apply here.

IFPA members can contact Kathy Sayers (202-720-6870) with questions about applying for the new program or contact IFPA Director, Production & Environmental Policy Sara Neagu-Reed. 

In November, IFPA and the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance commended the USDA for announcing the availability of this specialty crop funding and encouraged Congress to enact additional supplemental relief for growers. Learn more about IFPA’s advocacy efforts.   

 

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