POSSIBLE GOVERNEMT SHUTDOWN PUTS $125K MASC FUNDING AT RISK – APPLY TODAY

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the availability of Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC), which will provide eligible specialty crop producers with marketing assistance payments that will help them engage in activities that aid in expanding domestic specialty crop markets or in developing new markets for their specialty crops. In response to economic and health-based factors, USDA will use section 5(e) of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act (7 U.S.C. 714c(e)) to make payments to eligible producers in order to increase consumption of specialty crops by aiding expansion of domestic markets or aiding in the development of new and additional markets. MASC will use up to $2 billion in CCC funding to provide assistance to producers of specialty crops, subject to a payment limitation of $125,000. MASC payments are based on a producer’s sales, in calendar year 2023 or 2024, of specialty crops and adjustments will be made to ensure that payments do not exceed the available funding. Applications are being accepted from December 10, 2024, through January 8, 2025.

How to Apply

Applications, including required forms and documentation, must be submitted within 29 days of the program's publication in the Federal Register (by Jan. 8). Eligible farmers should complete the following steps:

• Submit Form FSA-1140 (Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops Application).
• Certify sales for 2023 or 2024, or projected 2025 sales with supporting documentation if they are new producers.
• Ensure all required forms, such as AD-2047 and CCC-902, are on file with FSA.
• Producers can contact their local FSA office for assistance or visit USDA’s MASC webpage for additional resources.