USDA opens enrollment for $1.63 billion specialty crop assistance program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on May 29 that it will distribute $1.625 billion through the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program, providing financial support to specialty crop producers affected by elevated input costs and market disruptions during the 2025 growing season.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said enrollment will begin June 1 for producers with a Login.gov account, allowing them to access and submit pre-filled applications online. Farmers who prefer to enroll through local offices or do not have a Login.gov account can request pre-filled applications from Farm Service Agency offices beginning June 8. The enrollment period will remain open through Aug. 7, with payments expected to begin as early as the first week after applications are approved.

USDA said the program is designed to help specialty crop producers manage production and marketing expenses following significant market disruptions attributed to unfair trade practices by foreign competitors that affected U.S. specialty crop exports. The payments are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and will be administered by the Farm Service Agency.

Payment rates will vary according to crop revenue categories. USDA established a Tier 1 payment rate of $650 per acre for specialty crops generating more than $10,000 in average annual revenue per acre. Tier 2 crops, with average annual revenue between $2,300 and $10,000 per acre, will receive $225 per acre, while Tier 3 crops generating up to $2,300 per acre will receive $65 per acre. Beans and peas not previously covered under the Farmer Bridge Assistance program will be eligible for $25 per acre.

To qualify, producers must have reported eligible specialty crop acreage to FSA by April 24, 2026. Eligible acreage includes initial, double, repeat, and subsequent crops, while cover crops, prevented planting acreage, grazing uses, forage, silage, and experimental plantings are excluded. Specialty crops grown in controlled environments are generally ineligible, with mushrooms serving as the primary exception.

USDA set the ASCF payment limitation at $250,000 per producer. While crop insurance participation is not required, the department encouraged growers to consider recently expanded risk management tools available through federal legislation to help protect against future market volatility.