Additional Funds, Time Announced For MASC

On Monday, the USDA announced that specialty crop producers have an additional two days to apply for assistance to help offset higher marketing and production costs. FSA increased the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program payment limit from $125,000 to $900,000 per operation.

USDA clarified that “reported sales do not need to be adjusted to deduct for charges and expenses necessary to reach marketability of the raw crop and its intended use”. MASC covers the following commercially marketed specialty crops:

Fruits (fresh, dried);
Vegetables (including dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms, and vegetable seed);
Tree nuts;
Nursery crops, Christmas trees, and floriculture;
Culinary and medicinal herbs and spices; and
Honey, hops, maple sap, tea, turfgrass and grass seed.

An additional $650 million in funding has been added, bringing the total funds available for specialty crop growers to $2.65 billion.

MASC applicants, established and new, must also submit the following information to FSA if not already on file at the time of application:

Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet.
Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity.
Form CCC-941, Average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Certification and Consent to Disclosure of Tax Information.  
Form FSA-942, Certification of Income from Farming, Ranching and Forestry Operations, if applicable, for the producer and members of entities.
A highly erodible land conservation (sometimes referred to as HELC) and wetland conservation certification (Form AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification) for the ERP producer and applicable affiliates.
Other Documentation if requested by FSA to support reported specialty crop sales.

Most producers, especially those who have previously participated in FSA programs, will likely have these required forms on file. However, those who are uncertain or want to confirm the status of their forms or producers who may be new to conducting business with FSA, can contact their local FSA county office. For MASC program participation, eligible specialty crop sales only include sales of commercially marketed raw specialty crops grown in the United States by the producer. The portion of sales derived from adding value to a specialty crop (such as sorting, processing, or packaging) is not included when determining eligible sales. Further explanation of what is considered by FSA for specialty crop sales as well as an online MASC decision tool and applicable program forms, are available on the MASC program webpage.

For established specialty crop growers, those who certify crop sales in 2023 or 2024, FSA will calculate MASC payments based on the producer’s total specialty crop sales for the calendar year elected by the producer. Payments for new producers will be based on their expected 2025 calendar year sales. Payment calculation details and examples are available on the MASC webpage or related questions can be directed to local FSA county office staff.

FSA will issue MASC payments after the end of the application period. If demand for MASC payments exceeds available funding, MASC payments may be prorated, and the payment limitation of $125,000 may be lowered.  If additional funding is available after MASC payments are issued, FSA may issue an additional payment.

Specialty crop producers interested in applying for MASC benefits, are encouraged to review the program fact sheet for detailed information on program eligibility, required documentation, payment calculations and more.

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