News

Additional specialty crop funding released

The Trump administration has announced it is resuming payments to growers through the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops program.

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says a second round of support up to $1.3 billion will be used to assist growers with rising input costs and to expand domestic markets.

The assistance program was created at the end of last year and is funded by the Commodities Credit Corporation. 

Producers of fruit; vegetables, including dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms and vegetable seed; tree nuts; and other specialty crops are eligible for payments.

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance says the program provides growers with a vital lifeline but is a down payment on the long-term investments specialty crop growers deserve. Leaders are calling for the passage of a bipartisan farm bill that enhances the competitiveness of growers.