A second round of payments — worth up to $1.3 billion — is set to go out this week to specialty crop producers through the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops program, according to USDA.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency has already delivered just under $900 million in first round of payments to eligible producers, according to a news release.
“President Trump is again putting farmers first. After a thorough review of USDA funding for certain programs to ensure they align with the president’s policies and uphold our commitment to responsible distribution of American taxpayer dollars, USDA resumed MASC payments. I am happy to announce this second round of support for specialty crop producers today, and we are thankful for the work they do to produce the safest, most abundant food supply for our families and the world,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.
First announced in December 2024, MASC authorized $2 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funds to assist specialty crop growers with rising input costs and aid in the expansion of domestic markets. In January 2025, in response to stakeholder feedback and program demand, funding for MASC was increased to $2.65 billion, the release said. The MASC application period closed Jan. 10.
MASC is designed to help specialty crop producers meet higher marketing costs related to:
- Perishability of specialty crops such as 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.
MASC covers the following commercially marketed specialty crops: fruits (fresh, dried); vegetables (including dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms and vegetable seed); tree nuts; and other specialty crops.
