Eligible specialty crop producers now have until August 7 to apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program. The program, which utilizes pre-filled applications, aims to streamline the process for producers seeking financial support.
Producers are encouraged to log in to login.gov to set up an account, where they can view and submit their pre-filled applications. This system mirrors previous structures, such as the Farmer Business Assistance programs, which also used pre-filled data. Producers who do not have a login.gov account or prefer to enroll in person can request their pre-filled applications directly at their local Farm Service Agency office.
Increased Program Funding
The financial backing for the program has increased significantly beyond its initial projections. While $1 billion was originally set aside for the initiative, the USDA will now be issuing $1.6 billion in assistance.
A comprehensive list of eligible specialty crops is available online at www.fsa.usda.gov/ascf. It is important to note that specialty crops grown in controlled environments, such as mushrooms, are not eligible for this program.
Tiered Payment Metrics
Payment rates for the program are established using tiered metrics based on the average annual revenue per acre. The structure includes the following parameters:
- Tier 1: Includes specialty crops with an average annual revenue of more than $10,000 per acre. The payment rate for this tier is set at $650 per acre.
- Additional Tiers: Two additional tiers exist for eligible specialty crops, with payment rates determined by specific thresholds of annual average revenue per acre.
Special Considerations for Beans and Peas
The program has also established a specific payment calculation for beans and peas. All types of beans and peas that were not eligible for the Food Purchase Agreement (FPA) program will receive a payment rate of $25 per acre. This rate aligns with previous allowances in the Farmer Business Assistance program, where similar dry bean and pea varieties received payment rates hovering around $25 per acre.
Under the rules of the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program, the individual payment limit is set at $250,000.
The Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program categorizes eligible specialty crops into distinct payment tiers based on national average revenue per acre.
The eligible crops included under each tier are as follows:
Tier 1 ($650 per acre)
This tier consists of specialty crops with an average annual revenue exceeding $10,000 per acre. Eligible crops include:
- Fruits and Berries: Blueberries (Highbush), Caneberries, Cherries (Sweet), Fresh Grapes, Strawberries, Breadfruit, Cherimoya, Dates, and Figs.
- Vegetables and Herbs: Artichokes, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage (Napa, Choy Sum), Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chives (Garlic/BuChoo), Garlic, and Lettuce.
- Tree Nuts and Trees: Chestnuts, Coconuts, Cacao, and Aronia (Chokeberry).
Tier 2 ($225 per acre)
This tier covers specialty crops with an average annual revenue between $2,300 and $10,000 per acre. Eligible crops include:
- Tree Nuts and Fruits: Almonds, Apples, Apricots, Avocados, Bananas, Cherries (Tart), Citron, Cranberries, Grapes (Processed), Pears, Pistachios, Walnuts, and Watermelon.
- Vegetables and Melons: Asparagus, Beets, Blueberries (Rabbiteye, Low Bush), Broccoflower, Broccoli, Broccolini, Broccolo-Cavalo, Cabbage (Hybrid, Open Pollinated, Red, Savoy), Canary Melon, Cantaloupe, Celeriac, Chinese Bitter Melon, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, and Tomatoes.
Tier 3 ($65 per acre)
This tier includes specialty crops with an average annual revenue of up to $2,300 per acre. Eligible crops include:
- Tree Nuts: Cashews, Hazelnuts, and Pecans.
- Fruits and Grains: Cherries (Chokecherry, Jamaica) and Sweet Corn (Bicolor, White, Yellow/Golden Early, Yellow/Golden Late).
Beans and Peas ($25 per acre)
This final category encompasses all types of beans and peas that were not eligible for the separate Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. Eligible varieties include, but are not limited to:
- Beans: Adzuki, Lupine, Mung, Anasazi, Baby Lima, Black Turtle, Butter, Canario (Yellow), Chinese String, Cranberry, Dark Red Kidney, Fava/Faba, Flat Small White, Garbanzo (Chickpeas), Green, Great Northern, and Green Baby French (Petite).
Exclusion Reminder: Specialty crops grown in controlled environments, such as mushrooms, are strictly excluded from program eligibility.
