SPECIALTY CROPS GROW IN SENATE RECONCILIATION TEXT

As the Senate takes up its version of the agriculture, nutrition, and forestry budget reconciliation bill (released June 10, 2025), much of the attention has been on controversial SNAP reductions. But tucked within the hundreds of pages is a noteworthy array of enhancements aimed at U.S. specialty crops and horticultural producers. These targeted investments reflect growing recognition of the economic, nutritional, and environmental value of crops beyond corn, soy, wheat, and cotton.

The Congressional Research Service indicates the bill allocates $332 million (FY2025–2034) in increased mandatory funding for specialty crop and organic programs including:

• Specialty Crop Block Grant Program: boosted from $85 M to $100 M/year through FY2035
• Specialty Crop Research Initiative: raised from $80 M to $175 M/year
• Plant Pest & Disease Management and Disaster Prevention: increased to $90 M/year

These programs are core to enhancing competitiveness, pest resilience, climate adaptation, and research for fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and more.  New or continued funding also strengthens organic-sector development:

• Organic Production & Market Data Initiative gains $10 M annually (up from $1 M)
• Organic Certification, Trade Tracking & Data receives $1 M in FY2025 and $5 M in FY2026
• National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program is restored at $8 M/year

These moves respond directly to long-standing organic industry calls for more reliable data and financial support. Beyond block grants, the bill increases funding for specialty crop and urban ag research and establishes a Supplemental Agricultural Trade Promotion Program with $285 M/year starting FY2027—most of which is expected to benefit horticultural exporters.

A notable structural change would ease Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) restrictions, enabling some high-revenue horticulture operations—particularly mid-to-large organic or specialty farms—to requalify for conservation and disaster programs

While big-ticket discussions may center on SNAP cuts, the Senate’s reconciliation text reveals a robust investment in specialty crops—totaling over $330 M in mandatory funding, plus research, organic, and trade supports. These targeted enhancements signal a significant policy shift: elevating horticultural and organic producers alongside traditional commodity sectors. The coming weeks will determine whether these earmarks hold firm or fall victim to broader budget wrangling.