By Clint Thompson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program will account for $1.625 billion in payments to eligible producers in response to high input prices and market disruptions resulting from unfair trade practices with foreign countries.
The program was announced last week and drew praise from industry leaders, including Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA).
“It will be a good bridge for some of our guys. We wish we could have gotten that earlier, but we’ll take it now and we’ll continue to look for other opportunities to get some more funding,” Butts said. “This market this last year, last several years for us, has been upside down. So, we’ve not come close to making anyone whole yet.”
How to Enroll
Producers with a Login.gov account can access and submit their pre-filled applications, starting June 1. Those farmers who do not have a Login.gov account or prefer to enroll in person at their local Farm Service Agency office can request their prefilled application beginning Monday, June 8. The ASCF enrollment period closes on Aug. 7.
“The Trump administration continues to put Farmers First and is committed to ensuring the economic strength of our specialty crop operations as we continue opening new markets abroad and strengthening demand domestically for American produce,” said Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins.
What is Covered?
Specialty crop acres of eligible crops reported to FSA as an initial, double crop, repeat crop, or subsequent crop by April 24, 2026, will be used to determine ASCF program payments. Acreage that is reported as a cover crop, prevented planted, or with an intended use of grazing, left standing, green manure, silage, forage, volunteer, or experimental will not be used to determine ASCF program payments.
For a list of eligible specialty crops visit fsa.usda.gov/ascf. Specialty crops grown in a controlled environment are not eligible, except for mushrooms.
- Tier 1 – $650 per acre
Includes eligible specialty crops with an average annual revenue of more than $10,000 per acre. - Tier 2 – $225 per acre
Includes eligible specialty crops with an average annual revenue of more than $2,300 per acre and up to $10,000 per acre. - Tier 3 – $65 per acre
Includes eligible specialty crops with an average annual revenue of up to $2,300 per acre. - Beans and Peas – $25 per acre
Includes all types of beans and peas that were not eligible for the FBA program.