News

National Potato Council says USDA specialty crop assistance has limited access

Only about a third of the funding allocated for USDA’s Assistance for Specialty Crop Producers Program has been distributed ahead of the August 7^th deadline.

National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles tells Brownfield, “One of the biggest challenges for specialty crops overall is eligibility.”

“A number of the farms that should be getting relief are unable to because of some fairly rigorous eligibility requirements that prevent folks from getting full access,” he says.

Potatoes make up the largest commodity receiving funding, with $98 million distributed as of July 21. Almonds, with more than $56 million in payments, are the second largest crop growers have enrolled for assistance.  

Quarles says losses on russet potatoes last year surpassed $600 million.

“That’s just one of the largest varieties that has grown, that really brings into focus why there’s been so much interest in Congress, the administration delivering some type of economic relief package for specialty crops,” he says.

He says economic assistance needs to have a workable delivery system for farmers to benefit.

Growers and industry leaders met this past week in Detroit for summer meetings with the Potatoes USA and National Potato Council.