The Shadow
WASHINGTON (VR) — Applications for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency’s $2 billion Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops program are due Jan. 8.
The program provides financial assistance to help specialty crop farmers expand markets and manage higher costs. The program focuses on producers of commercially marketed specialty crops including fruits (fresh and dried); vegetables (including dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms and vegetable seed); tree nuts; nursery crops, Christmas trees and floriculture; culinary and medicinal herbs and spices; and honey, hops, maple sap, tea, turfgrass and grass seed.
“Specialty crop farmers don’t have access to risk management tools typically available for row crop producers,” noted Tony Banks, senior assistant director of agriculture, development and innovation for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. “MASC is intended to provide financial assistance to help specialty crop farmers manage increased marketing costs and expand existing markets or establish new ones.”
He added that MASC payments can help farmers pay for specialized handling and transport equipment with temperature and humidity control; damage-preventing packaging; and high labor costs. “However, the program doesn’t require funds to be directed toward marketing-specific activities, allowing specialty crop farmers flexibility to use the financial assistance as needed,” Banks explained.
To be eligible for the MASC program, producers must be in business at the time of application. They also must maintain an ownership share of producing a specialty crop that will be sold in 2025.
FSA will issue MASC payments after the end of the application period. For details, visit MASC Program or contact your local FSA office.
