USDA REOPENS ACREAGE REPORTING WINDOW FOR SPECIALTY CROP PRODUCERS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reopened the 2025 crop acreage reporting period for specialty crop producers, providing additional time for growers to report planted acres and maintain eligibility for federal assistance programs. The updated deadline to submit acreage reports is April 24, 2026.

This decision follows feedback from growers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers who raised concerns about missed deadlines due to ongoing market disruptions, elevated input costs, and inflationary pressures. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) indicated the extension is intended to ensure all eligible producers have a fair opportunity to participate in the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program and to improve the accuracy of acreage data used in program implementation.

The ASCF program was announced earlier this year to provide targeted support to specialty crop producers facing challenges tied to market volatility and foreign competition. Payments under the program will be based on reported 2025 planted acres, making timely and accurate acreage reporting a key requirement for participation.

Eligible crops include a wide range of specialty commodities, including potatoes, onions, fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts. Growers who have not yet submitted their acreage reports—or who need to make corrections—now have an opportunity to do so within the reopened window.

USDA also encourages producers to prepare ahead of the ASCF application period by setting up a Login.gov account to streamline future program enrollment. While crop insurance is not required for participation, USDA continues to emphasize the importance of risk management tools as part of long-term operational stability.

More information on ASCF is available online at www.fsa.usda.gov/fba. Producers can contact their local FSA county office to make an appointment to complete their 2025 acreage report.