More Help May Be Coming For Specialty Crop Growers

When USDA rolled out its Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, those connected to specialty crops expressed concern about the way the funds would be allocated.  Initially, USDA announced $12 billion in assistance, most of which would go to corn, soybeans and wheat, the major crops.

And while it was later announced that $1 billion would be used to help the specialty crop sectors, many, including Central Washington’s Dan Newhouse said that’s not enough to provide for the needs and specialty crop producers are facing around the country.

“I and others have been advocating for an increase to that amount so we can provide the kind of assistance that's necessary," Newhouse said.  "And I think we are making real progress there. The last numbers I've heard that we're perhaps going to be looking at a number of about $5 billion of an increase.  So, hopefully that comes to fruition.”

Our Crops Aren't Insignificant

Newhouse added advocating for specialty crops in Washington D.C. sometimes is a struggle and can be very frustrating.

“Specialty crops are sometimes termed minor crops and some in people's minds, minor means just not that important, which is the furthest thing from the truth," Newhouse said.  "We're not corn, we're not soybeans, we're not cotton and rice and some of the things that people think of around the Midwest and major Ag producing areas of the country. But we are just as important and critical to the overall agricultural industry in this country and represent a huge amount of economic impact in rural communities throughout the country. So, I'm very happy that we're seeing an increased emphasis on specialty crop producers and the plight that they face is just as real as the plight that farmers in the major crop categories face.”

Newhouse added that he’s appreciative that more people are recognizing the important role specialty crops play, and the fact that producers need assistance as well.

Click Here for a detailed breakdown of Farm Bill 2.0.

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