Specialty Crop Producers Guaranteed Payment with Early Application to…
Specialty crop producers, listen up! If you’ve been growing crops like honey, dry beans, hops, fruits, nuts, or vegetables, you could be in line for some extra cash. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering a new opportunity for funding called the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops program. And the good news is that even new producers can take advantage of this program by using projected 2025 sales for their revenues.
Administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), the MASC program aims to support producers with funds for marketing activities. This could include costs associated with labor, handling, production, and delivery. The ultimate goal is to boost domestic consumption of specialty crops grown in the U.S. without requiring recipients to report sales or other related metrics.
Here’s how it works: eligible crops and products include a wide range of fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs, honey, hops, and more. Producers can choose to base their revenue calculation on crop sales from either 2023 or 2024, whichever year had higher sales. Crop insurance indemnities from the chosen year are also considered eligible revenue.
Payouts are determined by FSA based on a variety of factors, including the number of applicants and their revenue levels. While payments are generally capped at $125,000, this limit may vary depending on fund availability. If funds remain after the initial round of payments, applicants may even receive a second payment.
To apply for the program, producers need to submit several forms to their local FSA office by January 8, 2025. These forms include the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops Program Application, Customer Data Worksheet, Form Operating Plan, and more. New producers will have some additional paperwork to complete, so be sure to visit your FSA office for guidance.
Don’t delay! Reach out to your local FSA office today to get started on your application. They can provide assistance with filling out the necessary forms and offer specific advice tailored to your situation. For more information on eligibility requirements and detailed instructions, check out FSA’s factsheet and webpage on MASC. And remember, this is a one-time-only funding opportunity, so make sure to apply before the deadline on January 8th, 2025.
