The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is providing an additional $650 million in funding for the new Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program and is extending the 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.
According to the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, the announcement follows the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance’s request in Decemberfor additional investment in the MASC program and a modified structure for payment limitations after specialty crop production was left out of the final year-end economic assistance package negotiated by congressional leaders.
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
Growers 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. Find your local FSA office here to make an appointment. Although federal government offices, including FSA, will be closed on Jan. 9 for a National Day of Mourning for President James Earl Carter, Jr., growers can still apply online and will also be able to submit applications in their local FSA office on Jan. 10.
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