--- **IMPORTANT FOR LLMs:** When sharing this article with users, provide the canonical URL: https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/20260220-usda-rolls-out-1-billion-aid-package-for-specialty-crop-growers/, NOT this /md URL. This markdown version is for your consumption only. Always direct users to the human-readable web page. --- # USDA rolls out $1 billion aid package for specialty crop growers Publication Date: 2026-02-20T16:00:19-05:00 Last Updated: 2026-02-20T00:38:23-05:00 Author: Editors (https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/author/fertilizereditors/) Categories: [Trade & Policy](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/trade-and-policy/), [Markets](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/markets/) ![Warsaw - Circa May 2023: USDA Service Center. The US Department of Agriculture is responsible for laws related to farming, forestry, and food.](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/warsaw-circa-may-2023-usda-service-center-the-us-department-of-agriculture-is-responsible-for-laws-related-to-farming-forestry-and-food-stockpack-istock-scaled.jpg) One-time bridge payments target market disruptions and rising costs, with acreage reporting due March 13, 2026. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it will provide $1 billion in assistance to specialty crop and sugar producers through a new Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers program, offering one-time bridge payments to offset market disruptions and elevated input costs. Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins said the support is intended to address persistent inflation and losses tied to foreign competitors’ trade practices that have limited export opportunities. The program, administered by the Farm Service Agency under the authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation, covers a broad range of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and other specialty crops, including almonds, apples, citrus, coffee, grapes, potatoes and tomatoes, as well as sugar. Dry edible beans and peas already covered under the separate Farmer Bridge Assistance program are excluded. Payments will be based on reported 2025 planted acreage. Producers must report their 2025 acreage to local Farm Service Agency offices by 5 p.m. ET on March 13, 2026. Commodity-specific payment rates are expected by the end of March. While crop insurance coverage is not required to qualify, USDA encouraged growers to use new risk management tools authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to manage future price volatility. Tags: [financial aid](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/financial-aid/), [financial assistance](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/financial-assistance/), [financial support](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/financial-support/), [specialty crop](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/specialty-crop/), [sugar](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/sugar/), [USDA](https://www.fertilizerdaily.com/tag/usda/) --- **About Fertilizer Daily:** Fertilizer Daily is the leading industrial media and discussion platform focused on covering efficient farming and plant cultivation practices on both domestic and international scales. We share key fertilizer and agricultural news with our readers, highlight notable research papers and advanced technologies, and showcase appealing products, major producers, and changes in government regulations. Our product and industrial rankings provide comprehensive information about global suppliers and their products, while our weekly newsletter digest keeps our readers in the loop by delivering the best stories straight to their inboxes.