WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a one-time Specialty Crop Assistance program totaling $1 billion.
The Specialty Crop Assistance program provides payments to farmers who grow eligible fruits, vegetables, nuts and similar specialty crops. Payments are based on 2025 planted acreage reported to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency.
USDA says the funding is intended to offset market disruptions, higher input costs and trade-related losses. The program is authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and will be administered by the Farm Service Agency.
Farmers must report their 2025 specialty crop acreage to their local Farm Service Agency office by 5 p.m. Eastern on March 13.
Commodity-specific payment rates are expected to be released by the end of March.
The Specialty Crop Assistance program is separate from the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance program for row crops.