Earlier this week, the USDA reminded specialty crop producers about the deadline to apply for assistance for marketing and food safety certification expenses. Specifically, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is providing an additional $650 million in funding for the new Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program and extending the MASC application deadline to Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.
With a total of $2.65 billion available, MASC helps specialty crop producers expand markets and manage higher costs. FSA is also increasing the MASC payment limit from $125,000 to $900,000. FSCSC covers a percentage of a specialty crop operation’s cost to obtain or renew its on-farm food safety certification, as well as a portion of related expenses.
“Specialty crop producers should act quickly to make an appointment to apply for both marketing and food safety certification assistance,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “Specialty crop producers have been impacted by higher marketing and handling costs due to the perishability of fruits, vegetables, floriculture, nursery crops and herbs as well as increased costs to meet regulatory requirements. These programs will help producers overcome the financial challenges they’re facing when it comes to maintaining and expanding markets.”
Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops
MASC helps specialty crop producers meet higher marketing costs related to:
Perishability of specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, floriculture, nursery crops and herbs.
Specialized handling and transport equipment with temperature and humidity control.
Packaging to prevent damage.
Moving perishables to market quickly.
Higher labor costs.
Producers can find more information on eligibility, how payments work and how to apply on the MASC program webpage. Interested producers should apply by Jan. 10 at their local USDA Service Center or online. Although Federal government offices, including FSA, will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, for a National Day of Mourning for President James Earl Carter, Jr., producers can still apply online and will also be able to submit applications in their local FSA office on Friday, Jan. 10.
